Network system

ABSTRACT

A network system is provided. The network system includes: at least one component selected from an energy receiving unit receiving energy and an energy management unit managing the energy receiving unit. The energy receiving unit or the energy management unit receives energy rate related information; an energy usage amount or a usage rate of when the component is controlled on the basis of at least the energy rate related information is less than that of when the component is controlled without the basis of at least energy rate related information; if the energy rate related information is high cost information, a function of one component constituting the energy receiving unit is limited; and an operating time or an output of the energy receiving unit is adjusted in correspondence to the limited function of one component.

This application is a 35 U.S.C. §371 National Stage entry of International Application No. PCT/KR2011/004664, filed on Jun. 27, 2011, and claims priority to Korean Application No. 10-2010-0060906, filed Jun. 26, 2010, Korean Application No. 10-2010-0091439, filed Sep. 17, 2010, Korean Application No. 10-2011-0047731, filed May 20, 2011, and PCT/IB2010/003388, filed Nov. 26, 2010, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a network system.

BACKGROUND ART

A provider has simply provided energy sources such as electricity, water and gas while a consumer has simply used the supplied energy sources. This makes difficult to realize efficient management in terms of the generation, distribution and use of energy. Therefore, a network system for effectively managing energy is in need.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Technical Problem

Embodiments provide a network system capable of effectively managing energy sources.

Technical Solution

In one embodiment, a network system comprises: at least one component selected from an energy receiving unit receiving energy and an energy management unit managing the energy receiving unit, wherein an energy usage amount or energy usage rate of the energy receiving unit is adjusted, an energy usage amount or a usage rate of when the component is controlled on the basis of at least information related to energy cost is less than that of when the component is controlled without the basis of at least information related to energy cost; the energy receiving unit comprises at least one component that works on a plurality of spaces defined at an inside or outside of the energy receiving unit and that consumes energy, and the component selectively works on at least one part of the spaces according to whether the information related to energy cost is high price information.

The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

Advantageous Effects

According to embodiments, an energy source can be efficiently produced, used, distributed, and stored, thus enabling the effective management of the energy source.

Also, by using energy information, in-house electric products can be driven and controlled. The energy usage cost and power consumption can be reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view schematically showing an example of a network system according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the network system according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an information transmission process on the network system according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a view showing the communication structure of two components that constitute the network system according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of a communication device that constitutes a communication unit.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a communication performing process between a specific component and a communication device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a communication performing process between a specific component and a communication device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a view showing the communication structure of components that constitute the network system according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of a first component in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a view showing the communication structure of components that constitute the network system according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of a first component in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an example an example of a component that constitutes the network system of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view illustrating a home network according to an embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electric appliance according to an embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a component working on a space part, according to another embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of components working on a space part, according to another embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating an electric appliance according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating an electric appliance according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating an electric appliance according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating an electric appliance according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating an electric appliance according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram illustrating an electric appliance according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electric appliance according to another embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a graph illustrating a variation of a frequency according to on/off of a compressor according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a refrigerator according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electric appliance according to another embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a graph illustrating a variation of a frequency according to on/off of a compressor or heater in the related art.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view illustrating the front of a refrigerator constituting a network system according to another embodiment.

FIG. 29 is a view illustrating flows of cold air in the refrigerator of FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 is a block diagram illustrating a network system according to another embodiment.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a network system according to another embodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a view schematically showing an example of a network system according to the present disclosure.

The network system is a system for managing an energy source such as electricity, water or gas. The energy source means one of which amount generated or used can be metered. Therefore, even a source not mentioned above may be used as the energy source. Hereinafter, electricity will be described as an example of the energy source, and details of this specification may be identically applied to other energy sources.

Referring to FIG. 1, a network system according to an embodiment includes a power plant for producing electricity. The power plant may include a power plant for producing electricity through a thermal power generation or nuclear power generation and a power plant using water power, sunlight power, wind power or the like which is eco-friendly energy.

The electricity produced in the power plant is transmitted to a sub-control center through a power transmission line, and the sub-control center transmits the electricity to a substation so that the electricity is distributed to customers such as houses or offices.

Electricity produced by the eco-friendly energy is also transmitted to the substation so as to be distributed to each of the customers. The electricity transmitted from the substation is distributed to each of the offices or houses through electricity power storage, or is directly distributed to each of the offices or houses.

In a house using a home area network (HAN), electricity may be produced by itself through sunlight, fuel cells built in a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), or the like. Also, the produced electricity may be stored or distributed, or surplus electricity may be resold to the outside world.

The network system may include a smart meter for detecting the amount of electricity used in each customer (house, office or the like) in real time, and an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) for metering the amount of electricity used in a plurality of customers.

The network system may further include an energy management system (EMS) for managing energy. The EMS may generate information on operations of one or more components with respect to energy (production of energy, distribution of energy, usage of energy, storage of energy, and the like). The EMS may generate at least a command for the operations of the components.

In this specification, a function or solution performed by the EMS may be referred to as an energy management function or energy management solution.

In the network system, one or more EMSs may be provided as a separate configuration, or the EMS may be included as an energy management function or energy management solution in one or more components.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the network system according to the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the network system according to the present disclosure is configured by a plurality of components. For example, the components of the network system are a power plant, a substation, a sub-control center, an EMS, electric home appliances, a smart meter, a storage battery, a web server, an AMI, a home server, and the like.

In the present disclosure, each of the components may be configured by a plurality of sub-components. As an example, in a case of one component is an electric home appliance, sub-components may be a microcomputer (MICOM), a heater, a display and the like. That is, all that perform a specific function may be components in the present disclosure, and such components constitute the network system of the present disclosure. Two components may communicate with each other by means of a communication unit. One network may be one component or may be configured by a plurality of components.

In this specification, the network system in which communication information is related to an energy source may be referred to as an energy grid.

A network system according to an embodiment may include a utility area network (UAN) 10 and a home area network (HAN) 20. The UAN 10 and the HAN 20 may perform wired or wireless communication by means of a communication unit, and may perform two-way communication.

In this specification, the term “home” means not only a household as a lexical meaning but also a group in which specific components such as buildings or companies gather. Also, the term “utility” means a group in which specific components outside the home gather.

The UAN 10 includes an energy generation component 11 for generating energy, an energy distribution component 12 for distributing or transmitting energy, an energy storage component 13 for storing energy, an energy management component 14 for managing energy, and an energy metering component 15 for metering information related to energy.

In a case where one or more components that constitute the UAN 10 consume energy, the components that consume the energy may be energy consumption components.

The energy consumption component is a component corresponding to the energy consumption component 26 that constitutes the HAN 20. The energy consumption component may be the same component as the energy consumption component 26 or may be another component distinguished from the energy consumption component 26.

The energy generation component 11 may be a power plant as an example. The energy distribution component 12 distributes or transmits energy generated in the energy generation component 11 and/or energy stored in the energy storage component 13 to the energy consumption component 26 that consumes the energy. The energy distribution component 12 may be a power transmitter, substation, sub-control center, or the like.

The energy storage component 13 may be a storage battery, and the energy management component 14 generates information for driving one or more of the energy generation component 11, the energy distribution component 12, the energy storage component 13 and the energy consumption component 26, related to energy. The energy management component 14 may generate at least a command for the operation of a specific component.

The energy management component 14 may be an EMS. The energy metering component 15 may meter information related to the generation of energy, the distribution of energy, the usage of energy, the storage of energy, and the like. The energy metering component 15 may be an AMI as an example. The energy management component 14 may be a separate configuration, or may be included in another component as an energy management function.

The UAN 10 may communicate with the HAN 20 by a terminal component (not shown). That is, information generated or transferred in a specific component that constitutes the UAN 10 may be transmitted to the HAN 20 through the terminal component, or information generated or transferred in another component that constitutes the HAN 20 may be received to the UAN 10 through the terminal component. The terminal component may be a gate way as an example. The terminal component may be provided to one or more of the UAN 10 and the HAN 20.

The terminal component may be a component necessary for transmitting/receiving information between the UAN and the HAN.

Two components that constitute the UAN 10 may communicate with each other by means of a communication unit.

The HAN 20 includes an energy generation component 21 for generating energy, an energy distribution component 22 for distributing energy, an energy storage component 23 for storing energy, an energy management component 24 for managing energy, an energy metering component 25 for metering information related to energy, an energy consumption component 26 for consuming energy, a central management component 27 for controlling a plurality of components, and an energy grid assistance component 28.

The energy generation component 21 may be a home power generator, and the energy storage component 23 may be a storage battery. The energy management component 24 may be an EMS. As an example, the energy generation component 21 may be a solar cell, a fuel cell, a wind power generator, a power generator using subterranean heat, a power generator using seawater, or the like.

The energy storage component 23 may perform storage using energy generated from the energy generation component 21. Therefore, in view of the use of energy, the energy storage component 23 and the energy generation component 11 may be an energy using component that uses energy together with the energy consumption component 26. That is, the energy using component may include at least an energy consumption component, an energy generation component and an energy storage component. In a case where the energy management component uses energy, it may be included in the energy using component.

In view of the supplied energy, the energy storage component 23, the energy consumption component and the energy generation component 11 may be an energy supplied component to which energy is supplied.

The energy metering component 25 may meter information related to the generation of energy, the distribution of energy, the usage of energy, the storage of energy, and the like. The energy metering component 25 may be a smart meter as an example. The energy consumption component 26 may be, as an example, an electric home appliance or a heater, motor, display or the like, which constitutes the electric home appliance. In this embodiment, there is no limitation in the kind of the energy consumption component 26.

Specifically, the energy generation component 21 may be another component of the UAN 10, which generates energy to be supplied to the HAN 20.

The energy management component 24 may be provided as a separate configuration or may be included in another component as an energy management function. As an example, the energy management function may be performed by a control component that controls the energy consumption component. In a case where the control component performs the energy management function, it may be an energy management component.

Specifically, the energy management component 14 that constitutes the UAN 10 or the energy management component 24 that constitutes the HAN 20 may be built in one or more of the plurality of components that constitute the networks 10 and 20, or may exist as a separate device. The energy management component 24 may recognize the information related to energy (energy information) and the state information of a component controlled by the energy management component 24.

The energy generation component 21, the energy distribution component 22 and the energy storage component 23 may be individual components, or may constitute a single component.

The central management component 27 may be, as an example, a home server for controlling a plurality of electric home appliances.

The energy grid assistance component 28 is a component having a primary function while performing an additional function for the energy grid. For example, the energy grid assistance component 28 may be a web service providing component (e.g., a computer or the like), mobile device, television, or the like.

The mobile device may receive energy information or additional information (described later), and control the operation of at least the energy consumption component 26 using the received information.

Two components that constitute the HAN 20 may communicate with each other by means of a communication unit.

The energy generation components 11 and 21, the energy distribution components 12 and 22, the energy storage components 13 and 23, the energy management components 14 and 24, the energy metering components 15 and 25, the energy consumption component 26 and the central management component 27 may independently exist, or two or more of them may constitute a single component.

For example, the energy management component 14 or 24, the energy metering component 15 or 25 and the central management component 27 may exist as single components so as to be configured as a smart meter, an EMS and a home server, which perform their functions, respectively. Alternatively, the energy management component 14 or 24, the energy metering component 15 or 25 and the central management component 27 may constitute a single system.

When a function is performed, it may be sequentially performed in a plurality of components and/or communication units. For example, an energy management function may be sequentially performed in the energy management component, the energy metering component and the energy consumption component.

In the network system, a plurality of UANs 10 may communicate with a single HAN 20, and a single UAN 10 may communicate with a plurality of HANs 20.

The component with a specific function, which constitutes the UAN and the HAN, may be configured as a plurality of components. For example, the energy generation component, the energy consumption component or the like may be configured as a plurality of components.

In this specification, each of the components that constitute the UAN and HAN may having a function performing component that performs its own function, or each of the components itself may be a function performing component.

As an example, in a case where the energy consumption component is an electric product, the electric product has a function performing component such as a heater, compressor, motor or display. As another example, in a case where the energy consumption component is a heater, compressor, motor, display or the like, the energy consumption component itself is a function performing component.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an information transmission process on the network system according to the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 3, in the network system according to the present disclosure, a specific component 30 may receive information related to energy (hereinafter, referred to as energy information 40) by means of a communication unit. The specific component 30 may further receive additional information (environment information, time information and the like) by means of the communication unit. In this instance, the information may be received from another component. That is, at least energy information is contained in the received information.

The specific component 30 may be a component that constitutes the UAN 10 or a component that constitutes the HAN 20.

As described above, the energy information 40 may be one of information related to electricity, water, gas and the like. Hereinafter, information related to electricity will be described as an example of the energy information, but information related to other energy sources may be identically applied.

For example, the kind of information related to the electricity may include time-based pricing, curtailment, grid emergency, grid reliability, energy increment, operation priority, and the like.

The information may be divided into scheduled information previously produced based on previous information, and real-time information changed in real time. The scheduled information and the real-time information may be divided by whether or not predict information after the current time (in the future).

The energy information 40 may be transmitted/received as a true or false signal such as a Boolean signal on the network system, or may be transmitted/received as a real price. Alternatively, the energy information 40 may be transmitted/received by being divided into a plurality of levels.

The energy information 40 may be divided into time of use (TOU) information, critical peak pattern (CPP) information or real time pattern (RTP) information according to the change in the pattern of data with respect to time.

According to the TOU information, a data is changed step by step depending on time. According to the CPP information, a data is changed step by step or in real time depending on time, and emphasis is displayed at a specific point of time. According to RTP information, a data is changed in real time depending on time.

In a case where the energy information is time-based pricing information as an example, the time-based pricing information is changed. The time-based pricing information may be transmitted/received as a true or false signal such as a Boolean signal on the network system, or may be transmitted/received as a real price. Alternatively, the time-based pricing information may be transmitted/received by being divided into a plurality of levels.

In a case where the specific component 30 receives a true or false signal such as a Boolean signal, one signal may be recognized as an on-peak signal, and the other signal may be recognized as an off-peak signal.

Alternatively, the specific component 30 may recognize information on at least one drive, which contains the time-based information, and may recognize an on-peak or off-peak signal by comparing the value of the recognized information with the value of reference information.

For example, in a case where the specific component 30 recognizes information divided into levels or real pricing information, it recognizes an on-peak or off-peak signals by comparing the value of the recognized information with the value of reference information.

In this case, the value of the information on drive may be at least one of time-based pricing, electric energy, the variation of time-based pricing, the variation of electric energy, the average of time-based pricing and the average of electric energy. The value of reference information may be at least one of an average, the average between maximum and minimum values of power information during a predetermined period of time and the reference variation of power information during the predetermined period of time (e.g., the slope of consumed electric energy per unit time).

The value of reference information may be determined in real time or may be previously determined. The value of reference information may be determined on the UAN or may be determined on the HAN (a customer's direct input or an input from the energy management component, the central management component or the like).

In a case where the specific component 30 (e.g., the energy consumption component) recognizes an on-peak signal (e.g., at a point of time of recognition), an output may be determined as zero (stop or maintenance of a stop state) or may be decreased. If necessary, the output may be restored or increased. The driving scheme of the specific component may be previously determined before the specific component is operated, or may be changed when the specific component recognizes an on-peak signal posterior to the start of operation.

Alternatively, in a case where the specific component 30 recognizes an on-peak signal (e.g., at a point of time of recognition), the output is maintained under an operable condition. In this case, the operable condition means that the value of the information on drive is less than a predetermined reference. The value of the information on drive may be time-based pricing, consumed electric energy, operation time, or the like. The predetermined reference may be a relative or absolute value.

The predetermined reference may be determined in real time or may be previously determined. The predetermined reference may be determined on the UAN or may be determined on the HAN (a customer's direct input or an input from the energy management component, the central management component or the like).

Alternatively, in a case where the specific component recognizes high-cost information, the output of the specific component may be maintained or increased when the difference between a state information value and a reference value is within a predetermined range. For example, in a case where a compressor of a refrigerator is not operated in a low-cost section, the temperature of a cool chamber or freezing chamber is increased. Therefore, the compressor is necessarily turned on when the temperature of the cool chamber or freezing chamber approaches a reference temperature. In a case where a high-cost section comes after the compressor is turned on, the compressor maintains a current output when the difference between the temperature of the cool chamber or freezing chamber and the reference temperature is within a predetermined range. In a case where a user selects a button for cancelling power saving in the state that the specific component 30 recognizes the high-cost information, the output of the specific component may be maintained.

Alternatively, in a case where the specific component 30 recognizes an on-peak signal (e.g., at a point of time of recognition), the output may be increased. However, although the output is increased at the point of time when the specific component recognizes the on-peak signal, the total output amount of the specific component during the entire drive period may be decreased or maintained as compared with that when the specific component is operated at a normal output level. Alternatively, although the output is increased at the point of time when the specific component recognizes the on-peak signal, the total consumed power or total time-based pricing of the specific component during the entire operation period may be decreased as compared that when the specific component is operated at a normal output level.

In a case where the specific component 30 recognizes an off-peak signal (e.g., at a point of time of recognition), the output may be increased. For example, in a case where the operation reservation of the specific component is set up, the drive of the specific component may be started before the setup time, or a component having a large output among a plurality of components may be first driven. In a case where the specific component is a refrigerator, supercooling may be performed by increasing an output as compared with the existing output (change in the state of cool air that is a medium for performing the function of the refrigerator). In a case where the specific component is a washing machine or washer, hot water may be stored by driving a heater earlier than the time when the heater is to be operated (storage of hot water that is an additional medium for performing the function of the washing machine or washer). Alternatively, in a case where the specific component is a refrigerator, cool air may be stored in a separate supercooling chamber by increasing an output as compared with the existing output. Alternatively, in a case where the specific component recognizes an off-peak signal (e.g., at a point of time of recognition), electricity may be stored.

The curtailment information is information related to a mode in which the specific component is stopped or a small amount of time-based pricing is taken. As an example, the curtailment information may be transmitted/received as a true or false signal such as a Boolean signal on the network system.

If the specific component 30 recognizes curtailment information, the output may be determined as zero (stop or maintenance of a stop state) or may be decreased as described above.

The grid emergency information is information related to a power failure or the like. As an example, the grid emergency information may be transmitted/received as a true or false signal such as a Boolean signal on the network system. The information related to a power failure or the like has a relation with the reliability of a component using energy.

In a case where the specific component 30 recognizes grid emergency information, it may be immediately shut down.

The grid reliability information is information related to the supply amount of electricity supplied or information related to the quality of electricity. The grid reliability information may be transmitted/received as a true or false signal such as a Boolean signal on the network system, or may be determined by a component (e.g., an electric home appliance) through the frequency of AC power supplied to the component.

That is, if a frequency lower than the frequency of AC power supplied to the component is sensed, it may be determined that the amount of electricity supplied is small (information on the deficiency of the amount of electricity supplied). If a frequency higher than the frequency of AC power supplied to the component is sensed, it may be determined that the amount of electricity supplied is large (information on the excess of the amount of electricity supplied).

In a case where the specific component recognizes shortage of the amount of electricity or poor quality of electricity in the grid reliability information, an output may be determined as zero (stop or maintenance of a stop state) or may be decreased. If necessary, the output may be restored or increased.

On the other hand, in a case where the specific component recognizes the information on the excess of the amount of electricity supplied, the output may be increased, or the operation may be converted from an off-state to an on-state.

The energy increment information is information related to a state that surplus electricity is generated because the amount of electricity used by a component is less than that of power generation. As an example, the energy increment information may be transmitted/received as a true or false signal such as a Boolean signal on the network system.

In a case where the specific component 30 recognizes energy increment information, the output may be increased. For example, in a case where the operation reservation of the specific component is set up, the drive of the specific component may be started before the setup time, or a component having a large output among a plurality of components may be first driven. In a case where the specific component is a refrigerator, supercooling may be performed by increasing an output as compared with the existing output. In a case where the specific component is a washing machine or a washer, hot water may be stored by driving a heater earlier than the time when the heater is to be operated. Alternatively, in a case where the specific component recognizes an off-peak signal (e.g., at a point of time of recognition), electricity may be stored.

Meanwhile, in a case where the specific component 30 is the energy storage component 13 or 23, the energy storage component 13 or 23 may store electricity by receiving the electricity supplied from the UAN, for example, when electricity storage cost is smaller than a predetermined value.

However, in a case where the energy storage component is connected to the energy generation component 21 that constitutes the HAN, it may continuously store energy generated by the energy generation component 21 until the electricity storage is completed. That is, the energy generated while the energy generation component 21 generates energy may be stored in the energy storage component 23.

The presence of completion of the electricity storage is determined while the energy storage component 13 or 23 stores electricity. In a case where the electricity storage is completed, the electricity supply for the electricity storage is cut off. Specifically, the presence of completion of the electricity storage may be determined using a sensor that senses the voltage, temperature or current of the energy storage component 13 or 23. The cutoff of the electricity supply may be performed using a switch (or circuit breaker) provided to a supply stage through which the electricity is supplied to the energy storage unit 13 or 23.

The electricity storage cost may be cost consumed in the electricity storage for a specific time period or electricity cost at a specific time.

As an example, in a case where the electricity storage cost is in an off-peak section (in a case where the specific component recognizes low-cost information which will be described later), the energy storage component 13 or 23 may store electricity. Alternatively, in a case where an on-peak section corresponds to an allowance section (in a case where the specific component recognizes high-cost information which will be described later), the energy storage component 13 or 23 may store in the on-peak section. In this instance, the allowance section is a section in which a power consumption information value is less than a predetermined reference. The power consumption information value may be a electricity cost, a power consumption amount, a time range, or the like. The predetermined reference may be a predetermined cost, a predetermined power consumption amount, a predetermined time, or the like. The predetermined reference may be a relative value or absolute value, and may be changed automatically or manually.

The energy storage component 13 or 23 may store a counter electromotive force generated when an energy consumption component that is rotatably operated or a motor provided to the energy consumption component is stopped (rotated).

Alternatively, the energy storage component 13 or 23 may store electricity using an energy consumption component that is rotatably operated or a motor provided to the energy consumption component. For example, in a case where the energy consumption component is a refrigerator, the energy storage component 13 or 23 may store electricity generated when a fan motor provided to the refrigerator is rotated (the fan motor may serve as a power generator or may be connected to the power generator). Alternatively, in a case where the energy consumption component is a washing machine, the energy storage component 13 or 23 may store electricity generated when a motor that rotates a drum for accommodating the laundry is rotated. In a case where the energy consumption component is a cooking appliance, the energy storage component 13 or 23 may store electricity generated when a motor for rotating a cooling fan is rotated. In a case where the energy consumption component is an air cleaner, the energy storage component 13 or 23 may store electricity generated when a motor for rotating a fan is rotated. That is, in this embodiment, in a case where a motor is provided regardless of the kind of the energy consumption component, the energy storage component 13 or 23 may store electricity generated when the motor is rotated. Alternatively, in a case where a power generator is connected to a fan rotated by the flow of air (natural flow or forcible flow), the energy storage component 13 or 23 may store electricity generated by the power generator.

The electricity stored in the energy component 13 or 23 may be supplied to one or more energy consumption components 26. In a case where electricity cost is higher than a reference value, the electricity stored in the energy component 13 or 23 may be supplied to the energy consumption component 26. As an example, in a case where the electricity cost is an on-peak (in a case where the specific component recognizes the high-cost information), the electricity stored in the energy storage component 13 or 23 may be supplied to the energy consumption component 26. In a case where the electricity cost is an off-peak (in a case where the specific component recognizes the low-cost information) but is close to the on-peak, the electricity stored in the energy storage component 13 or 21 may be supplied to the energy consumption component. If the electricity stored in the energy storage component 13 or 23 is less than a predetermined value, electricity generated in the energy generation component 11 is supplied to the energy consumption component. Thus, it is possible to prevent the operation of the energy consumption component from being stopped due to the cutoff of the electricity supply while the energy consumption component is operated.

In a case where the supply of electricity generated in the energy generation component 11 is cut off by interruption of electric power, the electricity stored in the energy component 13 or 23 may be supplied to the energy consumption component. In a case where the energy consumption component is an electric product, the electricity stored in the energy storage component 13 or 23 may be supplied to a communication unit or control unit provided to the electric product.

The electricity stored in the energy component 13 or 23 may be supplied to a portion of a plurality of energy consumption components. As an example, the stored electricity may be supplied to an electric product such as a refrigerator required in continuous operation among a plurality of electric products. Alternatively, the stored electricity may be supplied to an energy consumption component with relatively low power among a plurality of energy consumption components that constitute one electric product. It will be apparent that the stored electricity is supplied to an energy consumption component with high power. Alternatively, when a course using a relatively small amount of power is performed among a plurality of courses in which an electric product is performed, the stored electricity may be supplied. It will be apparent that the stored electricity may be supplied even when a course using a large amount of power is performed.

Meanwhile, in a case where electricity is generated and stored by a fan or motor as described above, the electricity stored in the energy storage component 13 or 23 may be supplied to an energy consumption unit with relatively low power. As an example, the electricity stored in the energy storage component 13 or 23 may be supplied to an LED lamp, a display, a control unit, a communication unit, a low-power heater, or the like. Alternatively, in a case where the energy consumption component performs a plurality of courses, the electricity stored in the energy storage component 13 or 23 may be supplied to the energy consumption component in a course that requires low power.

The energy storage component 23 may be built in connected to one energy consumption component. Alternatively, a plurality of energy storage components 23 may be built in or connected to a plurality of energy consumption components, respectively. Alternatively, a plurality of energy storage components 23 may be built in or connected to one energy consumption component. The plurality of energy storage components 23 may be connected to one another to share the stored electricity.

Among the information related to energy, the on-peak information, the curtailment information and information on the deficiency of the amount of electricity supplied may be recognized as high-cost information considered that energy cost is relatively expensive. In this instance, the section in which the high-cost information is recognized by the specific component may referred to as a low-cost section.

On the other hand, among the information related to energy, the off-peak information, the energy increment information and the information on the excess of the amount of electricity supplied may be recognized as low-cost information considered that energy cost is relatively cheap. In this instance, the section in which the low-cost information is recognized by the specific component may be referred to as a low-cost section.

The information related to the fluctuation of the energy cost (high-cost or low-cost information) may be recognized as information for determining a power saving driving scheme of the specific component (e.g., the energy consumption component). That is, the information related to the fluctuation of the energy cost may be recognized by dividing a time slot (time period) based on energy cost or pricing period (pricing zone) for determining a driving scheme of the specific component into at least two or more.

A high period means a high price time period (period of high cost) or a high pricing period and a low period means a low price time period (period of low cost) and a low pricing period.

As an example, in a case where the information related to energy is recognized as a Boolean signal, the time slot (time period) based on energy cost or pricing period (pricing zone) for determining a driving scheme of the specific component may be divided into two. In a case where the information related to energy is divided into a plurality of levels or recognized as real-time information, the time period or pricing period may be divided into three or more.

Meanwhile, the information related to energy cost corresponding to at least time may be recognized as information for determining a power saving driving scheme of the specific component. That is, the information related to energy cost may be recognized by dividing a time slot (time period) or pricing zone (time period) into at least two or more. As described above, the divided time period or pricing period may be determined based on the kinds of the recognized information (the Boolean signal, the plurality of levels and the real-time information).

In other words, the information related to fluctuation of energy cost may be recognized by dividing a determination factor for driving the specific component into two or more, and functions on time and energy cost may be included in the determination factor.

In a case where the information related to energy cost is divided into two levels or more, the driving scheme of the specific component may be determined according to the information divided into levels.

On the other hand, in a case where the recognized information related to energy cost is not divided based on a specific reference (e.g., real-time cost information), it is compared with predetermined information, and the driving scheme of the specific component may be determined based on the compared result.

Here, the predetermined information may be reference information (e.g. reference value) for dividing the information related to energy cost, and the compared result may be whether not the information related to energy cost is more or less than the reference value.

Specifically, each of the kinds of information related to energy may be divided into first information 41 that is raw information, second information 42 that is refined information, and third information 43 that is information for performing the function of the specific component. That is, the first information is a raw data, the second information is a refined data, and the third information is a command for performing the function of the specific component.

The information related to energy is included a signal, and the signal is transmitted. In this instance, one or more of the first to third information may be transmitted several times while the content of the information is not converted but only the signal including the information is converted.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a component that receives a signal including the first information may convert only the signal and transmit a new signal including the first information to another component.

Therefore, it is described in this embodiment that the conversion of signal is a different concept from the conversion of information. In this instance, it can be readily understood that when the first information is converted into the second information, the signal including the first information is also converted into the signal including the second information.

However, the third information may be transmitted several times in the state that the content of the third information is converted or in the state that only the signal including the third information is converted while the content of the third information is identically maintained.

Specifically, in a case where the first information is raw information on time-based pricing, the second information may be refined information on the time-based pricing. The refined information on the time-based pricing is information in which the time-based pricing is divided into a plurality of levels or analysis information. The third information is a command generated based on the second information.

The specific component may generate, transmit or receive one or more of the first to third information. The first to third information are not necessarily transmitted or received in sequence. Only a plurality of pieces of third information without the first and second information may be transmitted in sequence or parallel. Alternatively, the first and third information may be transmitted or received together, the second and third information may be transmitted or received together, or the first and second information may be transmitted or received together.

As an example, in a case where the specific component receives the first information, it may transmit the second information or may transmit the second and third information.

In a case where the specific information receives only the third information, it may generate and transmit new third information.

Meanwhile, in the relation between two pieces of information, one is a message and the other is a response for the message. Thus, each of the components that constitute the network system may transmit or receive a message. In a case where each of the components receives a message, it may respond to the message. Therefore, in the case of an individual component, the transmission of a message is a relative concept with the response for the message.

The message may include a data (first or second information) and/or a command (third information).

The command (third information) may include a command for storing the data, a command for generating the data, a command for processing the data (including the generation of an additional data), a command for generating an additional command, a command for transmitting the additionally generated command, a command for transmitting a received command, and the like.

In this specification, the response for the received message means storage of the data, processing of the data (including generation of an additional data), generation of a new command, transmission of the newly generated command, simple transmission of a received command (including generation of a command for transmitting the received command to another component), operation, transmission of the stored information, transmission of an acknowledge message (acknowledge character or negative acknowledge character), or the like.

For example, in a case where the message is first information, the specific component that receives the first information may generate second information by processing the first information, or may generate the second information and new third information, as a response for the message.

The specific component that receives the message may provide a response related to energy. Here, the term “response” may be understood as a concept including an operation through which the specific component can perform a function. As an example, the HAN 20 may perform an operation related to energy by receiving a message.

The response (operation) related to energy, provided by the specific component, will be described in detail. For example, the specific component may be an energy consumption component.

The energy consumption component may be driven so that the energy cost when it is driven based on the recognition for energy information is reduced as compared with that when it is driven without the recognition for energy information.

The specific component may include a plurality of modes in which it is driven to perform its own function. The plurality of modes are a first mode and a second mode in which energy cost is relatively saved as compared with that in the first mode. The specific component may be driven in at least one of the first and second modes.

Here, the first mode may be a general mode and the second mode may be a power saving mode. Alternatively, the first and second modes may all be power saving modes.

The general mode may be understood as a mode in which the function of the specific component is performed without recognition of energy information. On the other hand, the power saving mode may be understood as a mode in which the function of the specific component is performed based on the recognition of energy information so as to save energy cost.

In a case where the first and second modes are power saving modes, the first mode may be specified as a driving scheme for saving energy cost and the second mode may be specified as a driving scheme in which the energy cost in the second mode is more saved than that in the first mode.

Meanwhile, in a case where the specific component (e.g., the energy consumption component) is driven, at least a portion is recognized in a driving scheme including at least drive time and course. In this case, an unrecognized portion may be generated so as to save energy cost, and a recognized portion may be converted into another scheme.

For example, at least a portion of the driving scheme may be recognized under the control of the energy management component, the control of the energy consumption component, or the like. In a case where a specific driving scheme is further required so as to save energy cost, an unrecognized portion of the driving scheme may be newly generated, and a recognized portion may be converted into another scheme so as to save energy.

It will be apparent that the process of generating the unrecognized portion may be omitted. In this case, the process of converting the recognized portion into another scheme. On the other hand, the process of converting the recognized portion into another scheme may be omitted. In this case, the process of newly generating the unrecognized portion may be performed.

The drive time may include a drive start time or drive end time. The course may include a drive period of the specific component and the power of the specific component.

The generated scheme or converted scheme may be a scheme recommended by the specific component so as to save energy cost. Here, the specific component may be an energy consumption component (control component) or the energy management component.

As an example, in a case where the recognized scheme is a specific drive time, the specific drive time may be converted into another time so as to save energy cost, and a specific course may be generated.

On the other hand, in a case where the recognized scheme is a specific course, the specific course may be converted into another course so as to save energy cost, and a specific time may be generated.

Under the control described above, a change in time or power may be made with respect to the output function of the specific component based on time.

The generated scheme or converted scheme may be performed within a set range. That is, in the process of recognizing at least a portion of the driving scheme, the generation or conversion of the driving scheme may be performed within a predetermined reference in which the recognized portion appears (e.g., restriction set by a user, constraint set under the control of the energy management component or energy consumption component, or the like).

Therefore, in a case where the set range is out of the predetermined reference, it is restricted to generate the unrecognized portion or to convert the recognized portion into another scheme.

Another embodiment is proposed.

Cost information may further included in the recognized driving scheme. That is, in a case where the cost information is recognized, a portion related to the drive time or course may be generated. The generated driving scheme may be recommended.

Meanwhile, a response of the specific component based on the information related to the fluctuation of the energy cost (high-cost or low-cost information), e.g., a power control for power saving driving, may be performed. An output decrease (including an output of zero) or output increase may be included in the output control.

It is as described above that the output is decreased or zero, maintained or increased based on the recognition for the information (on-peak or off-peak) related to energy cost.

If high-cost information is recognized, the output may be zero or decreased. Specifically, the output in the recognition of the high-cost information may be decreased as compared with that in the recognition of low-cost information. As described above, the decrease of the output may be previously determined before the specific component is operated, or may be changed when the high-cost information is recognized posterior to the start of the operation of the specific component.

In a case where the output of the specific component is zero or decreased, the function to be performed by the specific component may be lost as compared with a normal case. Therefore, a response for restoring the lost function may be performed.

As an example, after the output of the specific component is decreased, the specific component may be controlled so that the total operation time of the specific component is increased or so that the output is increased in at least a time period.

In other words, if specific reference information related to energy information is recognized in a period after the output of the specific component is controlled, the response for controlling the output may be released. Here, the term “period” may be divided based on a point of time when the high-cost information is recognized.

The total operation time may be understood as a time approaching a specific target in the process of performing the function of the specific component. As an example, in a case where the specific component is an electric appliance (washing machine, drying machine, cooking appliance or the like) intermittently driven (or driven in a specific course), the total operation time may be understood as a time until a corresponding course is completed.

On the other hand, in a case where the specific component is an electric appliance (refrigerator, water purifier, or the like) driven at normal times, the total operation time may be understood as a time approaching a target set for performing the function of the specific component. For example, the set target may be a target temperature, a target amount of ice produced, or a target amount of clean water in the refrigerator.

The total operation time may be increased as compared with the operation time set before the output of the specific component is decreased. In a case where the output of the specific component is not decreased, the total operation time may be increased as compared with the operation time of the specific component. However, although the total operation time of the specific component is increased, the specific component is controlled so that the total energy cost generated through the drive of the specific component can be saved as compared with that when the output of the specific component is not decreased.

If the high-cost information is recognized, the output of the specific component may be increased.

However, although the output is increased at a point of time when the high-cost information is recognized, the total output of the specific component during the entire driving period may be decreased or maintained as compared with that when the specific component is operated under a normal output. Alternatively, although the output is increased at a point of time when the high-cost information is recognized, the total power consumption or total time-based pricing of the specific component during the entire driving period may be decreased as compared with that when the specific component is operated under the normal output.

If the low-cost information is recognized, the output of the specific component may be increased. For example, in a case where the operation reservation of the specific component is set up, the driving of the specific component may be started before the setup time, or a component having a large output in a plurality of components may be first driven. In a case where the specific component is a refrigerator, supercooling may be performed by increasing an output as compared with the existing output. In a case where the specific component is a washing machine or a washer, hot water may be stored by driving a heater earlier than the time when the heater is to be operated. Alternatively, in a case where the specific component recognizes an off-peak signal (e.g., at a point of time of recognition), electricity may be stored.

Meanwhile, in a case of a specific condition (additional condition) is generated based on the information related to the fluctuation of the energy cost (high-cost or low-cost information), the response of the specific component, e.g., the output control for power saving driving, may be limited. That is, the output of the specific component may be maintained.

Here, the term “limitation” may be understood as the release of the output control performed or not performed.

The specific condition includes a case where influence on energy cost is minute even though the output control of the specific component is not performed or a case where it is necessary to prevent a function to be performed by the specific component from being degraded when the output of the specific component is controlled.

Whether or not the influence on the energy cost is minute may be determined based on a predetermined reference (time-based pricing, power consumption or information on operation time). The predetermined reference may be a relative or absolute value.

The case where the function to be performed by the specific component is degraded may be considered as a case where the specific component is a defrosting heater, for example.

In a case where it is controlled to decrease the output in a high-cost time period and to increase the output in the low-cost time period, the driving of the defrosting heater is more frequently performed than that during a normal time (setup period). In this case, the temperature of a storage room in the refrigerator is increased, and thus, the control of the output can be limited.

Meanwhile, the specific component 30 may include a display unit 31 for displaying information. In this embodiment, the term “information display” means that visual, auditory, olfactory and tactile information is known to the outside. The display unit 31 may include a touch screen for selecting or inputting information. Alternatively, the specific component 30 may include a separate input unit for inputting information by cable or radio.

All the information (energy information or additional information except the energy information) described above may be displayed in the display unit 31. One of the energy information and additional information may be displayed, or two or more pieces of information may be simultaneously displayed. That is, two or more pieces of information may be simultaneously displayed in the display unit 31. As an example, in a case where two or more pieces of information are simultaneously displayed, any one of the information is selected. Then, the selected screen may be enlarged, and the unselected screen may reduced. As another example, if any one of the two or more pieces of information is selected, the selected screen may be enlarged, and the unselected screen may disappear. In a case where specific information is selected and the selected screen is enlarged, information more specific that the previous information or information different from the previous information may be displayed on the enlarged screen. For example, in a case where the selected information is a character, graphic information may be displayed on the enlarged screen, or two or more pieces of information may be sequentially displayed on the enlarged screen. In a case where two or more pieces of information are displayed in the display unit 31, two or more relative positions may be varied.

Information except energy cost information and energy cost may be displayed in the display unit 31. The energy cost information may include current cost, past cost or estimated cost in the future. The energy cost information may include not only information on cost information in a specific period or time but also information on cost used with respect to the operation of a component, cost used in the present, cost to be used (estimation cost), or the like.

The information except the energy cost information may include information on energy reduction, emergency situation, grid safety, power generation quantity, operation priority, energy consumption, energy supply amount, information (e.g., cost change rate, average cost, level or the like) newly generated based on two or more pieces of information (one or more pieces of energy cost information and/or information except the one or more pieces of energy cost information), and the like. In this instance, the energy consumption may be energy consumption used two or more HANs, and may be simultaneously or selectively displayed.

The information on energy consumption may include information on past consumption, current consumption and estimated consumption in the future. The information on energy consumption may include information on accumulated consumption for a specific period (time), average consumption, increasing rate of consumption, decreasing rate of consumption, maximum consumption, minimum consumption, and the like.

The additional information may include one or more of environment information, time information, information related to the one or more components, information related to another component and information related to a user using the one or more components. The environment information may include one or more of information related to carbon dioxide emission rate, concentration of carbon dioxide in air, temperature, humidity, precipitation, presence of rainfall, amount of solar radiation, amount of wind.

In addition to the information described above, information refined based on at least one information or newly generated information may also be displayed in the display unit 31.

In a case where the specific component 30 is the energy storage component 13 or 23, the presence of use of the stored electricity, the remaining amount of the store electricity and the like may be displayed. If the remaining amount of the stored electricity is less than a predetermined value, alarm information may be displayed.

The information displayed in the display unit 31 may include one or more of information on number, character, sentence, figure, shape, symbol, image and light. The information displayed in the display unit 31 may include one or more of information on graph for each time or period, level, table. One or more of the shape, color, brightness, size, position, alarm period, alarm time of the information displayed in the display unit 31 may be varied.

A currently operable function (or menu) may be displayed in the display unit 31. Alternatively, among a plurality of functions, operable and inoperable function may be divided by size, color, position and the like, and then displayed in the display unit 31. Alternatively, in a case where separate input units are provided, only an input units for selecting an operable function may be activated, or an input unit for selecting an operable function and an input unit for selecting an inoperable function may be displayed in different colors.

The target or display method of information displayed in the display unit 31 may be set and changed by a user, or may be changed automatically.

In a case where a condition for informing the user of information is satisfied, specific information may be displayed in the display unit 31. It will be apparent that a portion of a plurality pieces of information may be continuously displayed in the state that a component is turned on. The display time of the information may be changed or set automatically or manually.

If specific information (one or more pieces of information) is selected using the input unit, the selected information may be displayed. If a user contacts a portion of a component, e.g., an input unit, a handle, a display or the like, regardless of information display selection, or operates one or more buttons or knobs that constitute the input unit, a portion of the information may be displayed. In this instance, the information to be displayed may be set or changed. It will be apparent that a sensing unit for sensing a user's contact may be provided to the component. Alternatively, the specific information may be displayed by installation environment or variation of outdoor environment. Alternatively, the specific information may be displayed when the specific component receives new information. Alternatively, the specific information may be displayed when the kind or state of the specific component is changed. As an example, if a light emitting unit is turned off in an off-peak section and an on-peak section comes, the light emitting unit may be turned on. Alternatively, the specific information may be automatically displayed when the operation or state of the component is changed. As an example, in a case where the mode of the component is changed, information related to the changed mode may be automatically displayed.

Meanwhile, the display unit 31 may be separably connected or fixed to the component 30. In a case where the display unit 31 is separable from the component 30, it may perform wired or wireless communication with the component 30 (or control unit of the component). In a case where the display unit 31 is fixed to the component 30, it may also perform wired or wireless communication with the component 30.

In a case where the display unit 31 is separable from the component 30, a communication unit and an input unit for inputting or selecting information may be provided to the display unit 31. Thus, information can be inputted or selected through the input unit in the state that the display unit 31 is separated from the component 30. The communication unit may be provided to the component 30, and only the display unit 31 may be separated from the component 30. The display unit 31 may be the energy management component 24, the energy metering component 25 or the central management component 27, or may be a separate control apparatus.

In a case where the display unit 31 is provided with a communication unit, a communication unit may also provided to the component 30. In a case where the display unit 31 and the component 30 are in the state that they are communicated with each other and information is transmitted/receive through a communication signal, the display unit 31 may be used. That is, in a case where the intensity of a signal is secured so that information can be included in the communication signal, the display unit 31 may be in an available state. On the other hand, in a case where the display unit 31 is not communicated with the component 30 or information is not included in the communication signal due to the weak intensity of the signal, the display unit may be in an unavailable state. One of the display unit 31 and the component 30 transmits a communication signal, and the other of the display unit 31 and the component 30 transmits a response signal. The presence of use of the display unit 31 may be determined by the presence of reception of the communication and response signals and the signal intensity. That is, in a case where any one of the display unit 31 and the component 30 does not receive a signal or the intensity of received signal is less than a reference intensity, it may be determined that the display unit 31 is unavailable. Any one of the display unit 31 and the component 30 may increase the intensity of a transmission signal until it receives a response signal of which intensity is more than the reference intensity.

Information for informing the user of the presence of use of the display unit 31 may be displayed in the display unit 31 or the component 30. If it is recognized that the display unit 31 is unavailable, the component 30 may be controlled to increase its unique performance, to perform a door locking function or to limit its operation. Alternatively, the power of the component may be off while maintaining the power of a communication apparatus (modem) required to perform communication in the network system. Alternatively, the power of the component may be off while maintaining only a memory function for storing the state information of the component.

Meanwhile, sensors may be provided to the respective display unit 31 and component 30 so as to sense the presence of mounting of the display unit 31. As an example, the presence of mounting of the display unit 31 may be determined when the component 30 is operated. Each of the sensors may be a vibration sensor for sensing vibration. If the display unit 31 is mounted on the component 30, vibration generated in the operation of the component 30 can be transferred to the display unit 31. Therefore, in a case where the difference between the values of vibrations respectively sensed by the sensors is less than a predetermined value, it may be recognized that the display unit 31 is mounted on the component 30. If it is recognized that the display unit 31 is mounted on the component 30, the operation of the component 30 may be controlled so that vibration or noise generated in the operation of the component 30 is decreased. As an example, in a case where the component 30 is a washing machine or drier, the rotation speed of a motor may be decreased. In a case where the component 30 is a refrigerator, the driving period of a compressor may be decreased. On the contrary, if it is recognized that the display unit 31 is separated from the component 30, the component may be controlled to increase its unique performance, to perform a door locking function or to limit its operation.

As another example, each of the sensor may be a temperature sensor. In a case where the difference between the values of temperatures respectively sensed by the sensors is less than a predetermined value, it may be recognized that the display unit 31 is mounted on the component 30.

In the state that the display unit 31 is separated from the component 30, an auxiliary display unit may be provided to the component 30 so as to enable the operation of the component 30. The presence of operation of the auxiliary display unit may be determined based on the presence of use of the display unit 31. As an example, if the display unit 31 is separated from the component 30 or is unavailable, the auxiliary display unit may be turned on.

FIG. 4 is a view showing the communication structure of two components that constitute the network system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of a communication device that constitutes a communication unit.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, first and second component 61 and 62 that constitute the network system may perform wired or wireless communication by means of a communication unit 50. The first and second components 61 and 62 may perform unidirectional or bidirectional communication.

In a case where the two components 61 and 62 perform wired communication, the communication unit 50 may be a simple communication line or power line communication means. It will be apparent that the power line communication means may include communicators (e.g., a modem or the like) respectively connected to the two components.

In a case where the two components 61 and 62 perform wireless communication, the communication unit 50 may include a first communicator 51 connected to the first component 61 and a second communicator 52 connected to the second component 62. In this case, the first and second communicators 51 and 52 perform wireless communication with each other.

As an example, if any one of the first and second communicators is powered on, one of the two communicators may transmit a network participation request signal, and the other of the two communicators may transmit a permission signal. As another example, if any one of the first and second communicators is powered on, the powered-on communicator may transmit a network participation request signal to a communicator previously participated in the network, and the communicator that receives the request signal may transmit a permission signal to the powered-on communicator.

In a case where a communicator that recognizes energy information determines that an error occurs in the received information in the state that a specific component participates in the network, the information is re-requested. For example, in a case where the first communicator receives energy information from the second communicator but an error occurs in the received information, the first communicator may request the second communicator to re-transmit the energy information. If the first communicator does not receive normal information for a predetermined time or number of times, it is determined that the first communicator has an error. In this case, information for informing a user of the error may be displayed in the first communicator or the first component 61.

The first component 61 may be a component that constitutes the UAN 10 or a component that constitutes the HAN 20.

The second component 62 may be a component that constitutes the UAN 10 or a component that constitutes the HAN 20.

The first and second components 61 and 62 may be the same kind of component or different kinds of components.

Components may be joined in the UAN 10 or the HAN 20.

Specifically, addresses may be assigned to a plurality of components, e.g., first and second components, respectively. Here, the addresses are necessary for performing communication between the components and can be mapped to at least a group.

The address may be understood as values respectively converted from the unique code of the first or second component. That is, at least a portion of the components that constitute the network system may have an unchangeable/unique code, and the code may be converted into an address for building a network.

In other words, product codes for at least some of the plurality of components capable of constituting first and second networks may be converted into different network codes based on the constituted networks.

As an example, the product code may be a unique code determined in production of electric appliances or a code separately provided for the registration of a network. The product code may be converted into an identity (ID) for identifying a network to which the electric appliance is to be registered.

The first and second networks may be networks that constitute the UAN 10 or networks that constitute the HAN 20. On the other hand, the first and second networks may be the UAN 10 and the HAN 20, respectively. Alternatively, the first and second networks may be the HAN 20 and the UAN 10, respectively.

A first component and a second component for allowing the first component to participate in the network may be included in the plurality of components that constitute the network. For example, the first component may be an electric appliance and the second component may be a server.

Any one of the first and second components transmits a request signal for participating in the network, and the other of the first and second components may transmit a permission signal.

That is, a signal may be transmitted/received between the first and second components, and whether or not to participate in the network may be determined based on the transmission time or number of the signal.

As an example, the first component transmits a test signal to the second component, and it is determined whether or not a response signal from the second component is transmitted to the first component. In a case where the response signal is not transmitted, the first component re-transmits the test signal, and it is re-determined whether or not a response signal from the second component is transmitted to the first component. By repeating such a process, if the transmission number of the test signal exceeds the setting number of the test signal, it may be determined that the second component does not participate in the network.

Meanwhile, the first component may transmit the test signal to the second component. If a response signal from the second component is not transmitted within a setup time, it may be determined that the second component does not participate in the network.

The first and second communicators 51 and 52 may have the same structure. Hereinafter, the first and second communicators 51 and 52 will be referred to as a communicator 51 and 52.

The communicator 51 and 52 may include a first communication part 511 for communication with the first component 61, a second communication part 512 for communication with the second component 62, a memory 513 for storing information received from the first component 61 and information received from the second component 62, a processor 516 for performing information processing, and a power supply 517 for supplying power to the communicator 51 and 52.

Specifically, the communication language (or scheme) of the first communication part 511 may be identical to or different from that of the second communication part 512.

Two kinds of information respectively received from the two components may be stored in the memory 513. The two kinds of information may be stored in a single sector or may be respectively stored in sectors. In any case, an area in which the information received from the first component 61 may be referred to as a first memory 514, and an area in which the information received from the second component 62 may be referred to as a second memory 515.

The processor 516 may generate first information or generate second and third information based on information received from the component or another communicator.

As an example, in a case where the communicator 51 and receives the first information, it may generate information or sequentially generate the information and the second information by processing a data. Alternatively, in a case where the communicator 51 and 52 receives the first information, it may generate the second and third information by processing a data. In a case where the communicator 51 and 52 receives the third information, it may new third information.

For example, in a case where the second component is an energy consumption component (electric home appliance, component that constitutes the electric home appliance, or the like), the second communicator may generate a command for reducing energy consumption. In a case where the second component is an energy generation component, energy distribution component or energy storage component, the second communicator 52 may generate a command for energy generation time, generation amount, energy distribution time, distribution amount, energy storage time, storage amount or the like. In this case, the second communicator 52 serves as an energy management component.

The power supply 517 may receive electricity supplied from the components 61 and 62 or may receive electricity supplied from a separate power source. Alternatively, the power supply 517 may be a battery or the like.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a communication performing process between a specific component and a communication device according to the first embodiment.

Hereinafter, for convenience of illustration, a communication performing process between the second component 62 and the second communicator 52 will be described as an example. A communication performing process between the first component 61 and the first communicator 51 may be identically applied to that between the second component 62 and the second communicator 62.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the second communicator 52 receives a message from the first communicator 51. The second communicator 52 may receive a message in real time or by periods without transmitting a request for the message to the first communicator 51, or may receive a message as a response for the request for the message to the first communicator 51. Alternatively, the second communicator 52 may receive a message by requesting information to the first communicator 51 at a point of time when it is initially turned on. Then, the second communicator 52 may receive information in real time or by periods from the first communicator 51 without a request for information.

The information received from the first communicator 51 is stored in the memory 513. The second communicator 52 transmits a message to the second component 62 as a response for the message. In this instance, the message transmitted to the second component 62 relates to new information different from the information previously stored in the memory 513, or information generated in the processor 516.

Then, the second component 62 transmits an acknowledge character (ack) or negative acknowledge character (Nak) to the second communicator 52 as a response for the message. The second component 62 performs a function (generation of a command, operation, or the like) based on the received information, or waits for performing the function.

Meanwhile, the second communicator 52 requests component information to the second component 62 in real time or by periods. As an example, the component information may be component state information or information on a component unique code, a manufacturer, a service name code, an electricity use amount, and the like. Then, the second component 62 transmits component information to the second communicator 52 as a response for the request. The component information is stored in the memory 513 of the second communicator 52.

If the second communicator 52 receives a message for requesting the component information from the first communicator 51, it transmits the component information stored in the memory 513 to the first communicator 51 as a response for the message. Alternatively, the second communicator 52 transmits the component information stored in the memory 513 to the first communicator 51 in real time or by periods.

The second communicator 52 may transmit the information of the first component, stored in the memory, to the first component together with the information received from the first component. Alternatively, the second communicator 52 may transmit the information of the first component, stored in the memory, to the first component, separately from transmitting the information received from the first component.

The second communicator 52 stores the information of the second component 62 in the memory 513. Hence, in a case where the second communicator 52 receives a message for requesting the component information from the first communicator 51, it transmits the component information stored in the memory 513 directly to the first communicator 51 without a request for information to the second component 62, and thus, the communication load of the second component 62 can be reduced. That is, the second component becomes a virtual component.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a communication performing process between a specific component and a communication device according to a second embodiment.

Hereinafter, for convenience of illustration, a communication performing process between the second component and the second communicator 52 will be described as an example. A communication performing process between the first component 61 and the first communicator 51 may be identically applied to that between the second component 62 and the second communicator 62.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 7, the second communicator 52 receives a message from the first communicator 51. The second communicator 52 may receive a message in real time or by periods without transmitting a request for the message to the first communicator 51, or may receive a message as a response for the request for the message to the first communicator 51. Alternatively, the second communicator 52 may receive a message by requesting information to the first communicator 51 at a point of time when it is initially turned on. Then, the second communicator 52 may receive information in real time or by periods from the first communicator 51 without a request for information.

If the second communicator 52 receives a message for requesting information from the second component 62, it transmits a message to the second component 62 as a response for the message for requesting the information. In this instance, the message transmitted to the second component 62 relates to new information different from the information previously stored in the memory 513, or information generated in the processor 516. Alternatively, the information transmitted to the second component 62 may be information received from the first component.

The second component 62 performs a function based on the received information or waits for performing the function.

Meanwhile, the second component 62 transmits component information to the second component 62 in real time or by periods. As an example, the component information may be component state information or information on a component unique code, a manufacturer, a service name code, an electricity use amount, and the like.

As described above, the electric use amount may be detected by the smart meter. In a case where the electricity use amount is included in the information of the second component 62, the correction of an actual electricity use amount may be performed by comparing the information of the second component 62 with the information of the smart meter.

Then, the second communicator 52 stores the information of the second component 62 in the memory 513, and transmits an acknowledge character (ack) or negative acknowledge character (Nak) to the second component 62 as a response for the message.

If the second communicator 52 receives a message for requesting component information from the first communicator 51, it transmits the information of the second component 62, stored in the memory 513, to the first communicator 51 as a response for the message. Alternatively, the second communicator 52 the information of the second component 62, stored in the memory 513, to the first communicator 51 in real time or by periods.

The second communicator 52 stores the information of the second component 62 in the memory 513. Hence, in a case where the second communicator 52 receives the message for requesting the component information from the first communicator 51, it transmits the information stored in the memory 513 directly to the first communicator 51 without transmitting a request for information to the second component 62, and thus, the communication load of the second component 62 can be reduced. That is, the second communicator 52 becomes a virtual component.

<Applications>

In the following descriptions, the first and second components may be reversed to each other, and therefore, overlapping descriptions will be omitted. For example, in a case where the first component is an electric home appliance and the second component is an energy management component, description in a case where the first component is an energy management component and the second component is an electric home appliance will be omitted.

Information transmitted/received by each of the components may be all the information described above. Particularly, specific information may be transmitted/received for each of the components.

The energy generation components 11 and 21 may transmit/receive information related to energy generation amount, and the like. The energy distribution components 12 and 22 may transmit/receive information related to energy distribution amount, distribution time, and the like. The energy storage components 13 and 23 may transmit/receive information related to energy storage amount, storage time, and the like. The energy metering components 15 and 25 may transmit/receive information related to energy consumption amount, and the like. The energy management components 14 and 24 may transmit/receive information related to energy generation, distribution, storage, consumption, cost, reliability, emergency situation, and the like.

(1) Case where Second Component is One Component of HAN

The second component 62 may be an energy consumption component 26, e.g., a heater, motor, compressor, display or the like. In this case, the first component 61 may be a MICOM or energy consumption component 26 as an example. The MICOM or energy consumption component 26 may transmit a message for reducing energy consumption to another energy consumption component 26. Then, the another energy consumption component 26 may perform an operation for reducing energy, for example.

As another example, the energy consumption component 26 may be an electric home appliance. In this case, the first component 61 may be an energy storage component 23, an energy consumption component 26 (electric home appliance), an energy management component 24, an energy metering component 25, a central management component 27, a web server component 28, or a component that constitutes the UAN 10.

In this instance, an energy management function may be included or not included in the first component 61 except the energy management component 24.

In a case where an energy management function or solution is not included in the first component 61, it may be included in the communication unit or may be included in the MICOM of the second component 62. In this case, the energy management function is related to the consumption of energy.

As still another example, the second component 62 may be an energy generation component 21, an energy distribution component 22 or an energy storage component 23. In this case, the first component 61 may be an energy management component 24, a central management component 27, a web server component 28 or a component that constitutes the UAN 10.

A message may be transmitted to the second component 62. Here, the message may include energy generation time, generation amount or the like, energy distribution time, distribution amount or the like, and energy storage time, storage amount or the like.

In this instance, an energy management function may be included or not included in the first component 61 except the energy management component 24.

In a case where an energy management function or solution is not included in the first component 61, it may be included in the communication unit. In this case, the energy management function is related to the generation, distribution and storage of energy.

As still another example, the second component may be an energy metering component 25. In this case, the first component 61 may be a central management component 27, a web server component 28 or a component that constitutes the UAN 10.

An energy management function may be included or not included in the energy metering component. In a case where the energy management function is included in the energy metering component 25, the energy metering component 25 performs the same operation as the EMS.

In a case where an energy management function or solution is included in the energy metering component 25, it may be included in the communication unit or may be included in the second component 62.

As still another example, the second component 62 may be a central management component 27. In this case, the first component 61 may be a web server component 28 or a component that constitutes the UAN 10.

(2) Case where Second Component is One Component of UAN

The first component 61 may be a component that constitutes the UAN 10. In this case, the first and second components 61 and 62 may be the same kind of component or different kinds of components.

An energy management function may be included in the first component 61, the second component 62 or the communication unit.

The energy management function included in a specific component or the energy management function included in the energy management component 14 may be related to generation amount, distribution amount, storage amount, energy use amount of a component that constitutes the HAN 20.

In this specification, an example capable of constituting the network system has been described. However, any component not mentioned in this specification may be a first or second component that performs communication through the communication unit. For example, an automobile may be a second component, and the energy management component 24 may be a first component.

(3) Case where One of First and Second Components Communicates with Third Component

Although the communication between two components has been described in the aforementioned examples, each of the first and second components may perform communication with one or more components (a third component to an n-th component).

In this case, the relation of the first or second component that performs communication with the third component and the like may be one of the aforementioned examples.

For example, the first component may be a component that constitutes the UAN, the second component may be an energy management component 24 that communicates with the first component, and the third component may be an energy consumption component 26 that communicates with the second component. In this instance, one or more of the three components may communicate with another component.

In this specification, the first to n-th components may be components that constitute the UAN or components that constitute the HAN. Alternatively, a portion of the components may be components that constitute the UAN, or another portion of the components may be components that constitute the HAN.

Hereinafter, third and fourth embodiments will be described. A difference between these embodiments and the aforementioned embodiments will be mainly described, and descriptions and reference numerals will be quoted to elements of these embodiments identical to those of the aforementioned embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a view showing the communication structure of components that constitute the network system according to a third embodiment. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of a first component in FIG. 8.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, a first component 70 may communicate with second to fifth components 82, 83, 84 and 85. Hereinafter, it will be described as an example that the first component 70 is a central management component (home server), the second and third components 82 and 83 are energy consumption components (electric home appliances), the fourth component 84 is an energy metering component (smart meter), and the fifth component 85 is a component that constitutes the UAN. The components may communicate with each other by means of a communication unit. In the network system illustrated in FIG. 8, each of the components is directly connected to the first component 70 to communicate with the first component 70. However, in a case where each of the components 82, 83, 84 and 85 is connected to new components to communicate with the new components, the network system may be extended and operated by the new components.

The second and third components 82 and 83 may be the same kind of component or different kinds of components. In this embodiment, it will be described as an example that the second and third components 82 and 83 are different kinds of energy consumption components.

The first component 70 may simply transmit information received from the fourth component 84 and/or the fifth component 85 to the second component 82 and/or the third component 83, or may process the received information and transmit the processed information.

The first component 70 may simply transmit information received from the second component 82 and/or the third component 83 to the fourth component 84 and/or the fifth component 85 (a signal may be converted), or may process the received information and transmit the processed information (the information is converted.

The first component 70 includes a communication unit 760 for performing communication with another component, a central manager 710 for managing the entire operation and/or information processing of the first component, and an application programming interface 720 (hereinafter, referred to as an

PI? for performing an interface between the communication unit 760 and the central manager 710 (specifically, application software).

The communication unit 760 includes a first communication part 762 for performing communication with the second and third components 82 and 83, a second communication part 764 for performing communication with the fourth component 84, and a third communication part 766 for performing communication with the fifth component 85.

In this instance, the first and second communication parts 762 and 764 may use different communication protocols from each other. As an example, the first communication part 762 may use Zigbee and the second communication part 764 may use Wi-fi. In this embodiment, the kind of communication protocol or method used by the first and second communication parts 762 and 764 is not limited. The third communication component 766 may use Internet communication as an example.

The API 720 includes a first API 722, a second API 724 and a third API 726. The third API 726 is an interface between the central manager 710 and the third communication part 766, and the first API 722 is an interface between the first communication part 762 and the central manager 710. The second API 724 is an interface between the second communication part 762 and the central manager 710.

The first component 70 further includes a local manager 740 and an interpreter 750. In a case where the information to be transmitted/received between the API 720 and the communication unit 760 is information related to operations of energy consumption components (electric home appliances), the local manager 740 outputs information corresponding to the respective energy consumption components. The interpreter 750 interprets information transmitted from the local manager 740 to the communication unit 760 or information received in the communication unit 760. The information outputted from the interpreter 750 is used to set or get values of information related to the respective energy consumption components.

The local manager 740 includes a memory (not shown) in which information related to one or more energy consumption components is stored. Alternatively, the local manager 740 may be connected to a memory in which information related to one or more energy consumption components is stored. The information related to each of the energy consumption components may include operation information of each of the energy consumption components and information for controlling the energy consumption components. The information related to each of the energy consumption components may further include software download information for operating each of the energy consumption components and information for remote controlling/monitoring.

As an example, in a case where a plurality of energy consumption components include a washing machine, a refrigerator and a cooking appliance, information related to each of the energy consumption components is stored in the memory. The information related to each of the energy consumption components may be changed as components connected to the network system are changed.

If a signal is transmitted from the API 720 to the local manager 740, information corresponding to a specific energy consumption component is outputted. In a case where a plurality of energy consumption components exist, information on the plurality of energy consumption components is outputted. The interpreter 750 interprets the information transmitted from the local manager 740 into a machine language so as to transmit the information to the energy consumption components. The machine language may be a signal used to set or get the operation information of the energy consumption components.

The information transmission process in the first component 70 will be described.

As an example, the first component 70 may receive energy information (e.g., an energy reduction signal: first command) from the forth component 45 through the second communication part 764. The received energy information is transmitted to the central manager 710 through the second API 724. In the process of information transmission between the second API 724 and the central manager 710, only a signal including the information is converted, and the content of the information is not converted.

Since the energy information is information related to the energy consumption reduction of the energy consumption components, the central manager 710 transmits information (second command) related to operations of the energy consumption components to the API 720. As an example, the central manager 710 transmits information necessary for turning off power of the washing machine or refrigerator.

Then, the information is transmitted from the first API 722 to the local manager 740.

The local manager 740 transmits information (third command) for controlling the operation of each of the energy consumption components to the interpreter 750 based on the information transmitted from the first API 722. As an example, in a case where the information transmitted from the first API 722 is information having different kinds of energy consumption components as targets, the local manager 740 transmits information related to the control of each of the energy consumption components to the interpreter 750. In this case, since the local manager 740 receives the second command and outputs the third command, the information inputted to the local manager 740 is converted and outputted by the local manager 740.

Subsequently, the interpreter 750 interprets the information transmitted from the local manager 740 into a machine language (signal). Then, the converted signal is transmitted to the target energy consumption components (second and third components) through the first communication part 762. Then, the energy consumption components (second and third components) are finally turned off so as to reduce energy.

Although it has been described above that the first component receives information through the second communication part, the first component may receive information through the third component so that the information related to the energy consumption components is outputted.

Meanwhile, the second and third components 82 and 83 may transmit their own operation information to the first component 70. Since the information transmitted from the second and third components 82 and 83 is information related to operations of the energy consumption components, the signal received in the first communication part 762 is transmitted to the central manager 710 via the interpreter 750, the local manager 760 and the first API 722. In such an information transmission process, the information related to the second and third components 82 and 83 is stored in the local manager 740. In this embodiment, since the information related to the energy consumption components is stored in the local manager, the local manager may be understood as a virtual energy consumption component (abstraction model).

The central manager 710 may transmit the received information to the second communication part 764 and/or the third communication part 766.

The operation of the first component will be described. The information received through the communication unit 760 may be transmitted directly to the API 720, or may be converted (via the interpreter and the local manager) and then transmitted to the API 720, based on the kind of information (or the type of signal).

The information transmitted from the central manager 740 may be transmitted directly to the communication unit 760, or may be converted and then transmitted to the communication unit 760.

As another example, the interpreter may be included in the local manager 740, and the information received through the communication unit 760 is transmitted to the local manager 740. However, converted information may be outputted, or information may be outputted as it is without converting the information.

Meanwhile, in a case where the information transmitted to the API 720 through the second or third communication part 764 or 766 is information (raw data or refined data) related to time-based pricing, the central manager 710 determines the presence of on-peak time. In the case of the on-peak time, the central manager 710 may transmit the information (first command) for controlling the operations of the energy consumption components to the API 720. Then, the information is converted through the local manager 740, and the converted information (second command) is transmitted to the energy consumption components through the first communication part 762. Alternatively, the central manager 710 may transmit the information related to the time-based pricing to the first communication part 762 through the second API 724 without determining the presence of on-peak time. In this case, the information may be converted or not converted. That is, in a case where the central manager directly receives first information (raw data), it may transmit the first information as it is, or convert the first information into a second information (refined data) and then transmit the second information.

FIG. 10 is a view showing the communication structure of components that constitute the network system according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of a first component in FIG. 10.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the network system of this embodiment may include at least first to fourth components 92, 94, 96 and 98.

The first component 92 may communicate with the second to fourth components 94, 96 and 98. The fourth component 98 may communicate with the first to third components 92, 94 and 96.

Hereinafter, it will be described as an example that the first component 92 is a central management component (home server), the second and third components 94 and 96 are energy consumption components (electric home appliances), and the fourth component 98 is an energy metering component (smart meter).

The central management component (home server) may be understood as a component necessary for controlling at least a component that constitutes the HAN 20.

The first component 92 includes a communication unit 970 for performing communication with another component, a central manager 920 for managing the entire operation and/or information transmission/reception of the first component 92, and an application programming interface 930 (hereinafter, referred to as an “API”) that serves as an interface between the communication unit 970 and the central manager 920 (specifically, application software).

The communication unit 970 may include a first communication component 972 for performing communication with the second to fourth components 94, 96 and 98, and a second communication component 974 for performing Internet communication.

The API 930 includes a first API 932 and a second API 934. The second API 934 is an interface between the central manager 920 and the second communication part 974, and the first API 930 is an interface between the first communication part 972 and the central manager 920.

The first component 92 further includes a local manager 950 and an interpreter 960. In a case where the information to be transmitted/received between the API 932 and the communication unit 970 is information related to operations of energy consumption components (electric home appliances), the local manager 950 outputs information corresponding to the respective energy consumption components. The interpreter 960 interprets information transmitted from the local manager 950 to the communication unit 970 or information received in the communication unit 970.

In this embodiment, the functions of the interpreter and the local manager are identical to those of the third embodiment, and therefore, their detailed descriptions will be omitted.

The information transmission process in the first component 92 will be described.

As an example, the first component 92 may receive energy information (e.g., energy reduction signal) from the fourth component 98 through the first communication part 972. Alternatively, the first component 92 may receive energy information from an external component connected to Internet through the second communication part 974.

The received energy information is transmitted directly to the first or second API 932 or 934 and then transmitted to the central manager 920. Since the energy information is information related to the energy consumption reduction of the energy consumption components, the central manager 920 transmits information related to the operations of the energy consumption components to the first API 932. As an example, the central manager 920 transmits information necessary for turning off power of a washing machine or refrigerator.

Then, the information is transmitted from the first API 932 to the local manager 950.

The local manager 950 transmits information for controlling the operation of each of the energy consumption components to the interpreter 960 based on the information transmitted from the first API 932. As an example, in a case where the information transmitted from the first API is information related to different kinds of energy consumption components, the local manager 950 transmits information related to the control of each of the energy consumption components to the interpreter 960.

Subsequently, the interpreter 960 interprets the information transmitted from the local manager 960 into a machine language (signal). Then, the interpreted signal is transmitted to the energy consumption components through the first communication part 972. Then, the energy consumption components are finally turned off so as to reduce energy.

Meanwhile, the second and third components 94 and 96 may transmit their own operation information to the first component 92. Since the information transmitted from the second and third components is information related to the operations of the energy consumption components, the signal received in the first communication part 972 is transmitted to the central manager 920 via the interpreter 960, the local manager 950 and the first API 932. In such an information transmission process, the information related to the first and second components is stored in the local manager 950.

The central manager 920 may transmit the received information to the first communication part 972. Then, the information of the second and third components 94 and 96 is transmitted to the fourth component 98.

The operation of the first component will be described. The information received through the communication unit 970 may be transmitted directly to the API 930, or may be converted (via the interpreter and the local manager) and then transmitted to the API 930, based on the kind of information (or the type of signal).

On the contrary, the information transmitted from the central manager 920 may be transmitted directly to the communication unit 970, or may be converted and then transmitted to the communication unit 970.

Meanwhile, in a case where the information transmitted to the API 930 through the second communication part 974 is information related to time-based pricing, the central manager 920 determines the presence of on-peak time. In the case of the on-peak time, the central manager 920 may transmit the information for controlling the operations of the energy consumption components to the API 930. Then, the information is transmitted to the energy consumption components through the local manager, the interpreter and the first communication part. In this case, the first component may be understood as an energy management component.

Although it has been described above that two energy consumption components communicate with the first component, the number of energy consumption components that communicate with the first component is not limited.

Although it has been described as an example that the first component is a home server, the first component may be an energy management component. In this case, the fourth component may be a central management component, an energy management component, a smart meter, or the like.

As another example, the first component may be a smart meter. In this case, the fourth component may be a central management component, an energy management component, or the like.

As still another example, the first component may be a terminal component (e.g., a gate way).

As still another example, each of the second and third components may be an energy generation component, an energy storage component or the like, which constitutes the HAN. That is, one or more of the energy generation component, the energy consumption component and the energy storage component may communicate with the first component. In addition to information related to the energy consumption component, information related to the energy generation component (e.g., information related to the operation of the energy generation component) and information related to the energy storage component (e.g., information related to the operation of the energy storage component) may be stored in the memory included in a local network or connected to the local network.

Although it has been described above that the first component performs Internet communication, the Internet communication may not be performed.

Although it has been described in the first embodiment that a single local manager is provided, a plurality of local managers may be provided. As an example, a first local manager may process information on an electric home appliance such as a refrigerator or washing machine, and a second local manager may process information on a display product such as a television or monitor.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an example an example of a component that constitutes the network system of the present disclosure. The following component 100 may be one component of the UAN or HAN.

Referring to FIG. 12, the component 101 may include a control unit 102, an input unit 103 for inputting an operational command, and a display unit 104 for displaying information. In this instance, the input unit 103 may be provided in the form of a touch screen to the display unit 104. The control unit 102 may communicate with a communicator 105.

The component 100 may further include a sensor, a driver, a memory and the like according to the kind of the component 100. The input unit or display unit may not be provided to the component 100 according to the kind of the component 100. The component 100 may be a function performing component, or may include the function performing component.

Hereinafter, various examples of the operating method of the component 100 will be described.

As still another example, in a case where the component includes a plurality of energy consumption components, the energy consumption components to be controlled may be differently selected according to the kind or state of the energy information or additional information. For example, the energy consumption components to be controlled may be differently selected according to the energy cost value or energy cost level. The reference information may include a first reference information and a second reference information greater than the first reference information. Alternatively, the reference information value may include a single value. For example, if the value of the energy information or additional information is greater than the second reference information value, the power of a first energy consumption component (function performing component that consumes energy) may be controlled (operation limitation). If the value of the energy information or additional information is between the first and second reference information values, the power of a second energy consumption component (function performing component that consumes energy) may be controlled (operation limitation). If the value of the energy information or additional value is smaller than the first reference information value, electricity may be stored in an energy storage component (the operation of a function performing component that stores energy may be started).

That is, any one of a plurality of control objects or methods may be selected according to the kind or state of the energy information or additional information.

As still another example, if the high-cost information is recognized in the operation of the component 100, the sum of powers of a plurality of energy consumption components that constitute the component 100 and perform the same function may be decreased. The plurality of energy consumption components may be the same kind or different kinds from one another. In a case where the high-cost information is recognized, only some energy consumption components may be turned off, or the power of the some energy consumption components may be decreased. Alternatively, in a case where the high-cost information is recognized, the power of each of the power consumption components may be decreased while the plurality of power consumption components maintain an on-state. Alternatively, in a case where the high-cost is recognized, the power of the plurality of energy consumption components may be decreased with the same power amount or power reduction rate. Alternatively, in a case where the high-cost information is recognized, the power of the plurality of energy consumption components may be decreased with a different power amount or power reduction rate. Alternatively, in a case where the high-cost information is recognized, the plurality of energy consumption components may be alternately turned on and turned off.

As still another example, if the high-cost information is recognized in the operation of the component 100, among a plurality of energy consumption components that constitute the component 100, the function performance of one or more energy consumption components may be limited, and the function of another one or more energy consumption components may be performed. The power consumption of the energy consumption components of which function is limited is greater than that of the energy consumption components of which function is performed. For example, in a case where the high-cost information is recognized while a component with relatively high power is operated, energy consumption components with high power may be turned off, and energy consumption components with low power may be turned on.

As still another example, if the high-cost information is recognized in the operation of the component 100, the operation of energy consumption components that satisfy a limitation condition may be limited among a plurality of energy consumption components that constitute the component. In this instance, the limitation condition may be power consumption, energy used cost or limitation order. That is, among the plurality of energy consumption components, the operation of energy consumption components of which power consumption or energy use cost exceeds a reference value may be limited. Alternatively, the limitation condition may be power consumption that is relatively large among the plurality of energy consumption components.

As still another example, in a case where the operation mode of the component 100 includes a plurality of processes, at least one of the plurality of processes may be limited in the section in which the high-cost information is recognized. The limitation means that the process is stopped or the power consumption in the performance of the process is decreased. For example, in a case where the component is a washing machine, the operation mode may be a standard course, quilt course, wool course or the like. The plurality of processes may include at least one of soaking, washing, rinsing, dehydrating and drying processes. The limited process may be automatically set, or may be manually set or changed.

As still another example, if the high-cost information is recognized in the operation of the component 100, two or more of a plurality of factors related to the operation of one or more energy components (function performing components) that constitute the component may be changed. The factor may include operation speed, operation time, power, operation rate and the like. If the value related to any one of two or more factors is decreased, the value of another factor may be increased.

As an example, when an energy consumption component is a motor, the rotation speed of the motor may decrease, and a rotation time may increase. When the energy consumption component is a heater, the output of the heater may decrease, and an operation time may increase. That is, when high-cost information is recognized, two or more factors associated with the operations of one or more energy consumption components may vary.

Alternatively, when the energy consumption component is a motor, the operation pattern of the motor may vary. Specifically, when the energy consumption component is a motor that rotates a drum included in a washing machine or a washer, the motor may rotate in one direction or another direction. In the case of a washing machine or a washer, the motor is controlled for laundry to be lifted and then dropped. A drum driving motion may be changed according to the rotation speed of the motor and a rotation angle in a specific direction. The drum driving motion may be divided into a general driving motion and one or more special motions (which have a rotation speed faster than the general motion or a large rotation angle in one-time rotation). Furthermore, the power consumption amount of the motor that is driven in the special motion is greater than the power consumption amount of the motor that is driven in the general motion. In this example, when high-cost information is reduced while the motor is being driven in the special motion, the washing machine or the washer may perform the general motion. When the high-cost information is recognized while the general motion is being performed, the washing machine or the washer performs a specific motion to be originally performed at a time when low-cost information is recognized.

As another example, the component 100 may operate for satisfying a reserved time, and when the low-cost information is recognized before the reserved time is satisfied, the component 100 may start an operation at any one time of a section in which the low-cost information is recognized. In this case, since the component 100 starts an operation prior to the reserved time, it may perform a service function for preventing a function from being declined after the operation of the component 100 is completed. The reserved time may be one of driving start time, driving end time and driving time sections. As an example, when the component 100 is a washing machine or a washer, the operation of the washing machine or washer is completed, and thereafter the component 100 may rotate the motor, which rotates a drum accommodating laundry, at certain intervals for preventing the wrinkle of the laundry. As another example, the component 100 is a cooking appliance, the operation of the cooking appliance is completed, and thereafter a heater may operate at certain intervals or continuously operate at minimum output for preventing a cooked item from cooling.

As another example, the operation may be controlled based on the specific order of a plurality of components which may be operated with respect to energy. The specific order may be any one of the order of components which must be firstly operated, the order of operation start, and the order of energy consumption amount or energy usage cost. For example, the bigger the current energy consumption amount, the current energy usage cost, the energy consumption amount for a predetermined time, and the energy usage cost for a predetermined time are, it may be set at the latter order. Alternatively, the operation order may be manually selected by a user, and a plurality of the same or other species components may be set at the same order.

In a case where high-cost information is recognized during the operation of a plurality of components, the operation of the component in the last order may be limited. Alternatively, the operation of a plurality of components in the latter orders (components in a plurality of orders) may be limited. And, if low-cost information is recognized in the state where the operation of components is limited, the components with their operations limited may be again operated. The reference for limitation on operation may be any one of the number of operable components and available total energy consumption amount or total energy usage cost. At this time, the limitation on operation of components may be immediately performed. Alternatively, in a case where the operation of a component consists of a number of processes, the operation of the component may be limited after one process is completed. Alternatively, the operation of the component may be limited after high-cost information is recognized and a predetermined time is passed. Alternatively, after a component whose operation is to be limited has consumed a predetermined amount of energy or the energy usage cost reaches a certain level, the operation of the component may be limited. Information notifying that the operation is limited may be displayed in the display unit of a component with its operation limited. Alternatively, information notifying that the operation is limited may be displayed in the display unit of other component which may control the component.

In another example, the component 100 may have a plurality of compartments, and the plurality of compartments may be cooled or heated. Also, according to the type or state of the energy information that is recognized, the cooled or heated states of the plurality of compartments may be varied. For example, when high cost information is recognized, one or more compartments of the plurality of compartments may not be cooled or heated. Also, levels of priority of the plurality of compartments may be determined, and the compartments may be cooled or heated in order of highest to least priority. Here, the highest priority for the plurality of compartments may be designated by a user or automatically. In another example, when high cost information is recognized, cold air or heat from one compartment may be routed to another compartment, from among the plurality of compartments. For example, when high cost information is recognized, heat from a cooking compartment may be supplied to a warming compartment to keep food warm.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view illustrating a home network according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 13, a home network 20 according to an embodiment includes an energy measurement unit 25 (e.g., a smart meter) capable of measuring the cost of power and/or electricity, being supplied to each home, in real-time from the utility network 10, and an energy management unit 24 connected to the energy measurement unit 25 and an electric product and controlling the operation thereof.

The energy management unit 24 is connected to electric products, the energy consumption units 26, such as a refrigerator 100 a, a washing machine 100 b, an air conditioner 100 c, a drying machine 100 d, and a cooking appliance 100 e through an in-house network for two-way communication. In-house communication may be performed by wireless communication such as Zigbee, WiFi or the like or by wire communication such as power line communication (PLC). Furthermore, the electric products may be connected to each other so as to communicate with each other.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electric appliance according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 14, an electric appliance 100 as “an energy consumption part” according to the current embodiment includes a communication part 210. The communication part 210 may communicate with at least one of an energy metering part 25 that recognizes energy information or additional information except for the energy information, and an energy management part 24 that manages (controls) driving of the electric appliance 100 according to the energy information or the additional information.

The electric appliance 100 includes: an input part 220 for inputting a predetermined command; a display part 230 for displaying driving information of the electric appliance 100 or recognized information from the communication part 210; a memory part 250 for storing received information, that is, energy information (e.g., energy price information) or additional information (e.g., environmental information); and a control part 200 for controlling the input part 220, the display part 230, and the memory part 250.

Further, the electric appliance 100 includes at least one working component 300 that works on a plurality of spaces and that consumes energy. The working component 300 may be the electric appliance 100 or an energy consumption part constituting the electric appliance 100.

The working component 300 may selectively work on part of the spaces, based on energy-related information. For example, the energy-related information may include information based on whether an energy price is high or low (that is, include high and low energy price information).

For example, when energy price-related information is recognized as high price-related information, driving of the working component 300 on part of the spaces may be limited. The “limitation” of the driving of the working component 300 includes a stop of the driving and a delay of the driving, or a decrease of power of the working component 300. The stop of the driving of the working component 300 may include “an immediate stop” or “a stop after an operation for a set time”.

Among the spaces, a space on which driving of the working component 300 is limited may be selected based on energy consumption information of the working component 300 working on the spaces. For example, when a case in which working of the working component 300 on a space is limited and working of the working component 300 on another space is maintained is less than the opposite case in energy consumption, the working of the working component 300 on the first space is limited and the working of the working component 300 on the second space is maintained.

On the contrary, when the case in which the working of the working component 300 on the second space is limited and the working of the working component 300 on the first space is maintained is less than the opposite case in energy consumption, the working of the working component 300 on the second space is limited and the working of the working component 300 on the first space is maintained. That is, priority order may be set to select a space on which driving of the working component 300 is limited.

A space on which driving of the working component 300 is limited may be selected based on an energy price. For example, when the high and low energy price information is equal to or greater than a first reference value, working of the working component 300 on a space may be limited. In addition, when the high and low energy price information is equal to or greater than a second reference value, working of the working component 300 on another space may be limited. The second reference value may be greater than the first reference temperature.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a component working on a space part, according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 15, an electric appliance 100 according to the current embodiment includes a space part 101 defined therein, and a working component 300 working on the space part 101. The space part 101 includes a first space 102, a second space 103, a third space 104, and an nth space. The number of spaces of the space part 101 may be equal to or greater than two, but is not limited to a specific number.

The working component 300 works on spaces disposed in the electric appliance 100. The working of the working component 300 may change state information generated in the spaces. The state information may include process state information of a consumable disposed in the spaces, or a temperature value or humidity value of the spaces.

For example, the consumable may be an item or material used or treated when a component is operated. For example, the consumable may be a laundry target in a washing machine, a cooking target in a cooking device, a detergent or fiber conditioner for washing a laundry target in a washing machine, or a seasoning for cooking a cooking target.

For example, a temperature value of the spaces may include a temperature value of a storage compartment of a refrigerator, an inner temperature value of a cooking device, an inner temperature value of a washing device, or an inner temperature value of a clothes treatment device (a washing device or a dryer). For example, a humidity value of the spaces may include a humidity value of a storage compartment of a refrigerator, an inner humidity value of a cooking device, an inner humidity value of a washing device, or an inner humidity value of a clothes treatment device (a washing device or a dryer).

Another embodiment is proposed.

Although the space part 101 is disposed in the electric appliance 100 in the above embodiment, the space part 101 may be disposed out of the electric appliance 100. For example, the space part 101 may be a peripheral space of the electric appliance 100, and include a plurality of spaces connected to one another. In this case, the electric appliance 100 may be an air conditioner, and the working component 300 may be an indoor device or driving part constituting the air conditioner.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of components working on a space part, according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 16, an electric appliance 100 according to the current embodiment includes a space part 101 and a working component 300 working on the space part 101. The space part 101 includes a first space 102, a second space 103, a third space 104, and an nth space. The working component 300 includes a plurality of components, that is, a first component 310, a second component 320, a third component 330, and an nth component. The number of the components may be equal to or greater than two, but is not limited to a specific number.

The components 310, 320, and 330 may work on the spaces 102, 103, and 104, respectively. That is, the first component 310 may work on the first space 102, the second component 320 may work on the second space 103, and the third component 330 may work on the third space 104.

Another embodiment is proposed.

Although the space part 101 is disposed in the electric appliance 100 in the above embodiment, the space part 101 may be disposed out of the electric appliance 100. For example, a plurality of components may be disposed in the space part 101. In this case, the electric appliance 100 may be an air conditioner, and the components may be an indoor device or driving part constituting the air conditioner.

FIGS. 17 to 22 are block diagrams illustrating an electric appliance according to first to sixth embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 17, the electric appliance according to the first embodiment is a refrigerator 110. The refrigerator 110 includes a refrigerator compartment 121 including a vegetable compartment 122, and a freezer compartment 125 including a special refrigerator compartment 127.

Components working on the refrigerator 110 include a first component 310, a second component 320, and a third component 330. The first component 310 may work on the refrigerator compartment 121 and the freezer compartment 125. The second and third components 320 and 330 may work on the vegetable compartment 122 and the special refrigerator compartment 127, respectively.

For example, the first component 310 may be a driving part such as a motor or a compressor. The second component 320 may be a first damper member that selectively introduces cold air from the refrigerator compartment 121 to the vegetable compartment 122. The third component 330 may be a second damper member that introduces a large amount of cold air into the special refrigerator compartment 127 through a single operation. Driving of at least one of the first to third components 310, 320, and 330 may be limited based on high and low energy price information as described above.

Referring to FIG. 18, the electric appliance according to the second embodiment is a dish washer 150. The dish washer 150 includes washing spaces 151, 152, and 153, and components 310, 320, and 330 for supplying washing water to the washing spaces 151, 152, and 153.

The washing spaces 151, 152, and 153 may be separated by a dish storage part in which dishes are stored, e.g., by a dish rack, and include first to third washing spaces 151, 152, and 153. The arrangement of the washing spaces 151, 152, and 153 may be changed in the dish washer 150.

The components 310, 320, and 330 work on the washing spaces 151, 152, and 153, respectively, and include first to third components 310, 320, and 330. Unlike in FIG. 18, a component may work on a plurality of washing spaces.

For example, the components 310, 320, and 330 may be washing spray parts (nozzles) for washing a dish located in the first washing space 151. Driving of at least one of the components 310, 320, and 330 may be limited based on high and low energy price information as described above. Furthermore, a washing work may be performed in a washing space corresponding to a working component.

Referring to FIG. 19, the electric appliance according to the third embodiment is a cooking device 160. The cooking device 160 includes cooking spaces 161, 162, and 163, and components 310, 320, and 330 for supplying heat from a heat source to the cooking spaces 161, 162, and 163.

The cooking spaces 161, 162, and 163 may be separated by a food storage part in the cooking device 160, and include first to third cooking spaces 161, 162, and 163. The arrangement of the cooking spaces 161, 162, and 163 may be changed in the cooking device 160.

The components 310, 320, and 330 work on the cooking spaces 161, 162, and 163, respectively, and include first to third components 310, 320, and 330. Unlike in FIG. 19, a component may work on a plurality of cooking spaces.

For example, the components 310, 320, and 330 may be heating members for heating a cooking target located in the first cooking space 161. Driving of at least one of the components 310, 320, and 330 may be limited based on high and low energy price information as described above. Furthermore, a cooking space corresponding to a working component may be heated.

Referring to FIG. 20, the electric appliance according to the fourth embodiment is a water cooler/heater device 170. The water cooler/heater device 170 includes storage spaces 171 and 172, and components 310 and 320 for cooling or heating water stored in the storage spaces 171 and 172. The storage spaces 171 and 172 include a first storage space 171 that may be a cool water tank, and a second storage space 172 that may be a hot water tank.

The components 310 and 320 work on the storage spaces 171 and 172, respectively, and include first and second components 310 and 320. For example, the first component 310 may be a driving motor or compressor driven for cooling water stored in the first storage space 171. The second component 320 may be a heating member for heating water stored in the second storage space 172.

Driving of at least one of the components 310 and 320 may be limited based on high and low energy price information as described above. Furthermore, a cooling or heating work may be performed in a storage space corresponding to a working component.

Referring to FIG. 21, the electric appliance according to the fifth embodiment is an air conditioner 130. The air conditioner 130 includes conditioning spaces 131 and 132, and components 310 and 320 for conditioning air in the conditioning spaces 131 and 132.

The conditioning spaces 131 and 132 may include first and second conditioning spaces 131 and 132. The first conditioning space 131 may be a space (an indoor space) out of the air conditioner 130, and the second conditioning space 132 may be another space (another indoor space) out of the air conditioner 130.

The components 310 and 320 work on the conditioning spaces 131 and 132, respectively, and include first and second components 310 and 320. For example, the first component 310 may be an indoor device or driving unit (a driving motor or a compressor) operated for conditioning air in the first conditioning space 131, and the second component 320 may be an indoor device or driving unit (a driving motor or a compressor) operated for conditioning air in the second conditioning space 132. Driving of at least one of the components 310 and 320 may be limited based on high and low energy price information as described above. Furthermore, an air condition work may be performed in a conditioning space corresponding to a working component.

Referring to FIG. 22, the electric appliance according to the sixth embodiment is a clothes treatment device 180. The clothes treatment device 180 may include a washing machine 120 or a dryer 140.

The clothes treatment device 180 includes clothes treatment spaces 181 and 182, and components 310 and 320 driven for treating (washing or drying) clothes stored in the clothes treatment spaces 181 and 182.

The clothes treatment spaces 181 and 182 include a first clothes treatment space 181 in which a wearing item may be treated, and a second clothes treatment space 182 in which another wearing item may be treated. For example, the first wearing item may be clothes, and the second wearing item may footwear.

The components 310 and 320 work on the clothes treatment spaces 181 and 182, respectively, and include first and second components 310 and 320. For example, the first component 310 may be a driving part or heating member for treating a wearing item stored in the first clothes treatment space 181, and the second component 320 may be a driving part or heating member for treating a wearing item stored in the second clothes treatment space 182. Driving of at least one of the components 310 and 320 may be limited based on high and low energy price information as described above. Furthermore, a clothes treatment work may be performed in a clothes treatment space corresponding to a working component.

Another embodiment is proposed.

Although a plurality of spaces are separated from one another in FIGS. 17 to 22, a plurality of spaces may not be separated from one another, and a working component may work on the spaces at a plurality of positions. For example, when a plurality of spaces are not be separated from one another, the spaces may be clothes treatment spaces of a clothes treatment device. The clothes treatment device includes a washing machine (having a drying function) or a dryer. The working component may be a damper member for discharging air at the positions, or a heating member for heating circulating air at the positions.

Another embodiment is proposed.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electric appliance according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 23, an electric appliance 400 as “an energy consumption part” according to the current embodiment includes a communication part 410. The communication part 410 may communicate with at least one of an energy metering part 25 that recognizes energy information or additional information except for the energy information, and an energy management part 24 that manages (controls) driving of the energy consumption part 400 according to the energy information or the additional information. In the current embodiment, the electric appliance 400 may be a refrigerator. Hereinafter, a refrigerator may be exemplified as the electric appliance 400.

The refrigerator 400 includes a compressor 450 constituting a cooling cycle to cool a storage compartment of the refrigerator 400. When the compressor 450 is driven, cold air may be generated through heat exchange of heat exchangers and be supplied to the storage compartment. The storage compartment includes a freezer compartment for storing an object in a frozen state, and a refrigerator compartment for storing an object in a refrigerated state. Cold air, generated by driving the cooling cycle, may be supplied to the freezer compartment. At least one portion of the cold air supplied to the freezer compartment is supplied to the refrigerator compartment.

A damper part 452 is disposed between the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment. The damper part 452 may be selectively opened to supply cold air from the freezer compartment to the refrigerator compartment.

The refrigerator 400 includes temperature sensors 454 and 456. The temperature sensors 454 and 456 include a first temperature sensor 454 disposed in the freezer compartment, and a second temperature sensor 456 disposed in the refrigerator compartment. When the freezer compartment is at a preset temperature or higher, the compressor 450 is driven to supply cold air to the freezer compartment. When the compressor 450 is driven, the damper part 452 is opened. Accordingly, at least one portion of the cold air from the freezer compartment is supplied to the refrigerator compartment. The communication part 410, the compressor 450, the damper part 452, and the first and second temperature sensors 454 and 456 may be controlled by a control part 440.

FIG. 24 is a graph illustrating a variation of a frequency according to on/off of a compressor according to the first embodiment. FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a refrigerator according to the first embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 24, a variation of a frequency according to on/off operations of a compressor 150 according to the first embodiment is illustrated. After a time point t0′ when the compressor 150 is turned on, a frequency of the compressor 150 increases. After a time point t1′ when the compressor 150 is turned off, the frequency of the compressor 150 is maintained in a decreased state. Just when the compressor 150 is turned on, or just after the compressor 150 is turned on, a damper part 160 may be immediately opened.

When the compressor 150 is initially driven, a supercooling section, that is, a section f2′ to f1′ may occur. However, a size H1′ of the section f2′ to f1′ may be smaller than a size H1 (refer to FIG. 27) in the related art. That is, the size of the supercooling section is decreased.

The related art will now be described briefly. FIG. 27 is a graph illustrating a frequency (a current value) measured according to current applied while a compressor or a heater is turned on/off, in the related art. When the compressor or the heater is turned on at a time point t0, the frequency increases. When the compressor or the heater is turned off at a time point t1, the frequency is maintained in a decreased state. The frequency converges on a frequency f2 from the time point t0 to the time point t1.

The frequency is between a frequency f1 and the frequency f2 in the initial stage of an on operation of the compressor or the heater. The frequency f1 is greater than the frequency f2. Since the frequency exceeds the frequency f2 as a required frequency, the compressor may supercool a storage compartment of a refrigerator, or the heater may overheat a cooking compartment of a cooking device. A supercooling section or overheating section of the compressor or heater may have the size H1. The supercooling or overheating may cause unnecessary consumption of current.

Thus, the current embodiment is different from the related art in that just when the compressor 150 is turned on, a portion of cold air from the freezer compartment is supplied to the refrigerator compartment, thereby preventing unnecessary supercooling of the freezer compartment and facilitating cooling of the refrigerator compartment.

Referring to FIG. 25, a method of controlling a refrigerator according to the current embodiment will now be described.

When the refrigerator 400 is turned on in operation S11, the communication part 410 may receive energy information or additional information in operation S12. The energy information may include power information such as electricity price information or supplied power amount information.

In operation S13, it is determined whether an information value corresponding to the received information is smaller than a reference information value. As described above, the reference information value may be at least one of a mean value related to an electricity price or a supplied power amount, a mean value of the maximum and minimum values of power information in a predetermined section, and a reference variation rate (for example, an inclination of a power consumption amount per unit time) of powder information in a predetermined section.

If the information value is equal to or greater than the reference information value, a corresponding time period is recognized as an on-peak time period in operation S14. As described above, the on-peak time period may be an example of a high price-related information section.

In operation S15, it is determined whether the on-peak time period is smaller than a set time. If it is determined that the on-peak time period is smaller than the set time, the damper part 452 is opened simultaneously with driving of the compressor 450 in operation S16. The opening of the damper part 452 simultaneously with the driving of the compressor 450 may be performed for the on-peak time period. The set time may denote the size of the on-peak time period, that is, an on-peak duration time. Even in the case that the corresponding time period is recognized as the on-peak time period, when supply of cold air from the freezer compartment is unnecessary, the driving of the compressor 450 and the opening of the damper part 452 may not be performed.

As described above, when an on-peak time period, for example, a section where an electricity price is high is smaller than a predetermined time, the compressor 450 and the damper part 452 are simultaneously operated, to thereby decrease unnecessary power consumption due to super-cooling, and prevent insufficiency of cold air in the freezer compartment.

If it is determined that the on-peak time period is equal to or greater than the set time in operation S15, when a set condition is satisfied after driving of the compressor 450, the damper part 452 may be opened in operation S17. For example, the set condition may be whether a component, i.e., the refrigerator compartment is at a preset temperature or higher, or whether a preset time elapses after the compressor 450 is turned on, or whether a preset frequency variation is sensed after the compressor 450 is turned on. If it is determined whether the information value is smaller than the reference information value in operation S13, operation S17 may be performed.

Another embodiment is proposed.

In FIG. 25, only if the on-peak time period is smaller than the set time, the compressor 450 and the damper part 452 are simultaneously driven. However, when the on-peak time period is recognized, the compressor 450 and the damper part 452 may be simultaneously driven for the on-peak time period without a specific condition.

Even in the case that the on-peak time period is slightly long, the compressor 450 and the damper part 452 are simultaneously driven, to thereby minimize an electricity price or a power consumption amount.

FIG. 26 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electric appliance according to an embodiment. According to the current embodiment, a cooking device is exemplified as an electric appliance 400.

The cooking device 400 includes: a first heater 472 for heating a cooking chamber; a heat conservation part 476 for maintaining cooked food at a temperature; and a heat transfer member 474 for transferring at least one portion of heat generated from the first heater 472 to the heat conservation part 476.

The first heater 472 may correspond to the compressor 450 of the refrigerator 400. The compressor 450 and the first heater 472 may be referred to as “driving parts” of the electric appliances 400. The heat transfer member 474 may correspond to the damper part 452 of the refrigerator 400. Since the damper part 452 is a member for transferring cold air from the freezer compartment to the refrigerator compartment, the damper part 452 may be referred to as “a heat transfer member”.

The heat conservation part 476 may be a heater different from the first heater 472, or be a predetermined region (a heat conservation region) in which food is kept warm. Even in the case that the heat conservation part 476 may be a heater different from the first heater 472, the heat conservation part 476 is disposed in a specific space and thus may be considered as a space.

The heat transfer member 474 may be a first transfer member for transferring heat from the first heater 472 to the heat conservation part 476 through conduction, or a second transfer member for transferring heat from the first heater 472 to the heat conservation part 476 through convection or radiation. For example, the first transfer member may be a contact member that selectively connects the first heater 472 and the heat conservation part 476 to each other, and the second transfer member may be a blower fan or a separate heater member.

The control part 440 may control the heat transfer member 474 to selectively transfer heat from the first heater 472 to the heat conservation part 476. When the first heater 472 is turned on, excessive heat generated from the first heater 472 may be transferred to the heat conservation part 476 by the heat transfer member 474 simultaneously with the turning on of the first heater 472.

In this case, as described with reference to FIG. 24, the size H1′ of the section f2′ to f1′ which is an overheat region is smaller than the size H1 in the related art. Thus, excessive heat from the first heater 472 can be effectively used, and unnecessary power consumption can be prevented.

A time period, for which an excessive heat source is transferred from the first heater 472 to the heat conservation part 476, may be an on-peak time period that may be smaller than a set time. When the on-peak time period is unrecognized, or is not smaller than the set time, heat transfer may be performed according to a set condition. The set condition may be a case that a specific command for heating a component, i.e., the heat conservation part 476 is input, or a case that the heat conservation part 476 is at a set temperature or lower.

Another embodiment is proposed.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view illustrating the front of a refrigerator constituting a network system according to an embodiment. FIG. 29 is a view illustrating flows of cold air in the refrigerator of FIG. 28.

Referring to FIGS. 28 and 29, a refrigerator 500 according to the current embodiment includes: a main body 501 including a refrigerator compartment 505 and a freezer compartment 504 therein; a freezer compartment door 502 disposed on the front surface of the main body 501 to open and close the freezer compartment 504; and a refrigerator compartment door 503 disposed on the front surface of the main body 10 to open and close the refrigerator compartment 505. In particular, a dispenser 522 may be disposed in the front surface of the freezer compartment door 502 to dispense ice and/or water. A home bar structure 523 may be disposed in the front surface of the refrigerator compartment door 503.

Storage spaces in the freezer compartment 504 and the refrigerator compartment 505 may be divided into storage rooms 504 a to 504 e and 505 a to 505 e by shelf structures or partitions. Cold air discharge ports 501 a may be disposed in rear walls of the storage rooms 504 a to 504 e and 505 a to 505 e to individually cool the storage rooms 504 a to 504 e and 505 a to 505 e. Dampers are installed on the cold air discharge ports 501 a, respectively, to selectively supply cold air into the storage rooms 504 a to 504 e and 505 a to 505 e.

Hereinafter, a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment may be divided into a plurality of storage rooms, cooling priority order of which may be determined according to an arbitrary condition. The storage rooms are cooled in the cooling priority order, to thereby decrease an electricity price and efficiently perform a refrigerating or freezing operation.

In particular, when the cooling priority order of the storage rooms is automatically or manually determined by a user, cold air is supplied to the storage rooms in the cooling priority order. A cold air supply amount is adjusted by adjusting operation conditions of a compressor (not shown) and a cooling fan (not shown) of a refrigerator according to energy price information including electricity price information transmitted from the utility area network 10. For example, a normal cooling mode is performed in an off-peak section, and the storage rooms are sequentially cooled in the cooling priority order in an on-peak section. Then, electricity consumed for operating the refrigerator is decreased in the on-peak section, and a refrigerating or freezing function in the on-peak section is the same as that in the normal cooling mode. At this point, even storage rooms waiting cold air supply turns thereof may be slightly supplied with cold air to maintain the storage rooms at a temperature for storing food at least in a no-decay state. That is, the refrigerator is programmed to appropriately adjust degrees of opening of dampers. Hereinafter, an operation mode in which priority order is set and cold air is supplied in the set priority order, as described above, is defined as an electricity cost saving operation mode. A normal operation mode, that is, an operation mode in which a refrigerator compartment or freezer compartment is individually cooled and storage rooms of the refrigerator compartment or freezer compartment are entirely cooled is defined as a basic operation mode.

FIG. 30 is a block diagram illustrating a network system according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 30, a refrigerator 500 according to the current embodiment may communicate with at least an energy management part 14 of a utility area network 10 or an energy management part 24 of a home area network 20 to exchange information.

In particular, the refrigerator 500 may include: an input part 534 provided in a button or touch screen form; a signal transmission/reception part 530 that exchanges energy information and additional information except for the energy information with the energy management parts 14 and 24; a control part 540 varying an operation condition of the refrigerator 500, based on information provided from the signal transmission/reception part 530; a memory 560 in which information transmitted to the control part 540 is stored; a display part 532 on which a result calculated in the control part 540, or an operation state or condition of the refrigerator 500 is displayed; an alarm part 550 including a notification member that requires a user to select an operation mode, based on energy information transmitted from the energy management parts 14 and 24; a temperature sensor 580 that senses inner temperature of the refrigerator 500; and a driving part 570 that includes at least a compressor 571, a fan 572, or a damper 573.

In more particular, the alarm part 550 may include an alarm member that uses voice or light. For example, when a current time point is determined as an on-peak section (that is, a high price-related information section), based on information transmitted from the energy management parts 14 and 24, a user may be asked whether an electricity cost saving operation mode is performed. To this end, the alarm part 550 may output an alarm sound, an alarm text, or alarm light. Alternatively, when the electricity cost saving operation mode is performed in the on-peak section, the user may arbitrarily change the electricity cost saving operation mode. In this case, the alarm part 550 may output at least one of an alarm sound, an alarm text, and alarm light to require the user not to change the electricity cost saving operation mode or to confirm the change of the electricity cost saving operation mode.

Hereinafter, a method of controlling a network system according to an embodiment will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawing. FIG. 31 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a network system according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 31, in a control method according to the current embodiment, energy-related information is received from the utility area network 10 or the home area network 20 as described above, and an amount of power consumed in an energy consumption unit is minimized based on the received energy-related information. In particular, when a refrigerator is driven under a specific condition, storage rooms defined in the refrigerator are cooled in priority order.

A user manipulates the input part 534 of the refrigerator 500 to select a priority order set mode in operation S21. The storage rooms defined in the refrigerator 500 may be displayed in the form of sectors on the display part 532 in operation S22. Alternatively, priority numbers may be assigned to the storage rooms, respectively, and an array of the priority numbers may be displayed. In this state, the user set cooling priority order in operation S23, and the set cooling priority order is displayed on the display part 532 in operation S24. To set the cooling priority order, the user may touch the sectors or numbers of corresponding storage rooms on a screen, or input the numbers of the corresponding storage rooms.

After the setting of the cooling priority order is completed, energy-related information, that is, energy information and information except for the energy information are received from the energy management parts 14 and 24 in operation S25, and are transmitted to the control part 540. Then, the control part 540 analyses the received information to determine whether a current time point is an on-peak section (a high price-related information section) or an off-peak section (a low price-related information section). When the current time point is the on-peak section, the control part 540 transmits, in operation S26, a notification signal asking whether to operate the refrigerator 500 in an electricity cost saving mode. As described above, a voice, a text, or light may be used to transmit the notification signal. Then, if the user selects the operation of the refrigerator 500 in the electricity cost saving mode in operation S27, speeds of a compressor and a cooling fan are automatically adjusted in operation S28.

In other words, the speeds of the compressor and the cooling fan are decreased, to thereby decrease cooling performance. Accordingly, a power consumption amount is decreased. Unless the user selects the operation of the refrigerator 500 in the electricity cost saving mode in operation S27, a previous basic mode is continually performed in operation S32. In operation S29, cold air generated at an evaporator is supplied to the storage rooms in the cooling priority order. In particular, the dampers disposed on the cold air discharge ports of the storage rooms are completely opened in the cooling priority order. The dampers disposed on the cold air discharge ports of the storage rooms waiting the turns thereof are slightly opened so as to supply a predetermined amount of cold air for storing food at least in a no-decay state. When cooling of a corresponding storage room is completed, the next storage rooms is supplied with cold air. That is, the damper of the next storage room is completely opened, and the damper of the previous storage room is slightly opened.

If the operation of the refrigerator 500 in the electricity cost saving mode is ended in operation S30, the operation of the refrigerator 500 is returned to the basic mode in operation S31. A time point when the operation of the refrigerator 500 in the electricity cost saving mode is ended may be set to be the same as or similar to a time point when the on-peak section is ended.

In the control method, a driving load of a cooling cycle is decreased in an on-peak section where an electricity price is high, so as to decrease a power consumption amount, and the cooling cycle is driven in a normal operation mode in an off-peak section where an electricity price is low, thereby saving electricity costs.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to the embodiments, an energy source is efficiently produced, used, distributed, and stored, so that the energy source can be effectively managed. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A refrigerator capable of communicating with a network system, comprising: a plurality of compartments disposed in the refrigerator and including a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment; a damper disposed to open or close a channel between the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment; at least one working component that consumes energy and performs work on the plurality of compartments, the at least one working component including a compressor; a first temperature sensor disposed in the freezer compartment; a second temperature sensor disposed in the refrigerator compartment; and a control unit that receives energy cost information and controls the at least one working component and the energy consumed by the refrigerator; wherein the control unit adjusts the energy consumed by the refrigerator based on energy cost information by varying the work performed by the at least one working component on the plurality of compartments, and wherein when the freezer compartment is at a preset temperature or higher the control unit controls the compressor to supply cold air to the freezer compartment and the control unit opens the damper part such that at least one portion of cold air from the freezer compartment is supplied to the refrigerator compartment.
 2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the plurality of working components are designated a level of priority among levels of priority, and the control unit varies the work performed by the at least one working component on the plurality of compartments based on the levels of priority of the plurality of compartments.
 3. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein the control unit uses the levels of priority associated with the plurality of compartments to determine the work performed by the at least one working component on the plurality of compartments when the energy cost information indicates that energy cost is high.
 4. The refrigerator of claim 3, wherein the control unit controls the at least one working component to heat or cool the plurality of compartments based on an order of highest to least priority.
 5. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising a communication part in communication with at least one energy measurement part.
 6. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein when the control unit receives the energy cost information indicating an on-peak time period that is smaller than a set time the control unit controls the compressor to supply cold air to the freezer compartment and opens the damper part such that at least one portion of cold air from the freezer compartment is supplied to the refrigerator compartment.
 7. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein when the control unit receives that energy cost information indicating that an on-peak time period is equal to or greater than a set time, the control unit controls the compressor to supply cold air to the freezer compartment until a set condition is satisfied, and opens the damper part such that at least one portion of cold air from the freezer compartment is supplied to the refrigerator compartment.
 8. The refrigerator of claim 7, wherein the set condition is one or more of: the refrigerator compartment is at a preset temperature or higher temperature than the preset temperature, a preset time elapses after the compressor is turned on, or a preset frequency variation is sensed after the compressor is turned on. 